Golf club

ABSTRACT

Golf clubs have a primary alignment feature including a paint or masking line which delineates the transition between at least a first portion of the crown having an area of contrasting shade or color with the shade or color of the face. Some have a primary alignment feature including a paint or masking line which delineates the transition between a first portion of the crown having an area of contrasting shade or color and the area of shade or color of the face. A secondary alignment feature includes a paint or masking line that delineates the transition between the first portion of the crown having an area of contrasting shade or color with the shade or color of the face and a second portion of the crown having an area of contrasting shade or color with the shade or color of the first portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/517,172, filed Jul. 19, 2019, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 16/046,106, filed Jul. 26, 2018, nowabandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/197,551, filed Jun. 29, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,052,530, whichclaims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to ProvisionalApplication No. 62/185,882 entitled “GOLF CLUB” filed Jun. 29, 2015, allof which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. Thisapplication references U.S. Pat. No. 8,771,095 to Beach, et. al,entitled “CONTRAST-ENHANCED GOLF CLUB HEADS,” filed Mar. 18, 2011.

BACKGROUND

When a golf club head strikes a golf ball, a force is seen on the clubhead at the point of impact. If the point of impact is aligned with thecenter face of the golf club head in an area of the club face typicallycalled the sweet spot, then the force has minimal twisting or tumblingeffect on the golf club. However, if the point of impact is not alignedwith the center face, outside the sweet spot for example, then the forcecan cause the golf club head to twist around the center face. Thistwisting of the golf club head causes the golf ball to acquire spin. Forexample, if a typical right handed golfer hits the ball near the toe ofthe club this can cause the club to rotate clockwise when viewed fromthe top down. This in turn causes the golf ball to rotatecounter-clockwise which will ultimately result in the golf ball curvingto the left. This phenomenon is what is commonly referred to as “geareffect.”

Bulge and roll are golf club face properties that are generally used tocompensate for this gear effect. The term “bulge” on a golf clubtypically refers to the rounded properties of the golf club face fromthe heel to the toe of the club face.

The term “roll” on a golf club typically refers to the roundedproperties of the golf club face from the crown to the sole of the clubface. When the club face hits the ball, the ball acquires some degree ofbackspin. Typically this spin varies more for shots hit below the centerline of the club face than for shots hit above the center line of theclub face.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to golf clubs. More specifically, thisdisclosure relates to golf club alignment.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the invention are directed to golf club heads including abody having a face, a crown and a sole together defining an interiorcavity, the golf club body including a heel and a toe portion and havingx, y and z axes which are orthogonal to each other having their originat USGA center face and wherein the golf club head has a primaryalignment feature comprising a paint or masking line which delineatesthe transition between at least a first portion of the crown having anarea of contrasting shade or color with the shade or color of the face.

In some embodiments the golf club head includes a body having a face, asole and a crown, the crown having a first portion having a first coloror shade and a second portion having a second color or shade, the facecrown and sole together defining an interior cavity, the golf club bodyincluding a heel and a toe portion and having x, y and z axes which areorthogonal to each other having their origin at USGA center face andwherein the golf club head has a primary alignment feature comprising apaint or masking line which delineates the transition between at least afirst portion of the crown having an area of contrasting shade or colorand the area of shade or color of the face, and the club head alsoincludes a secondary alignment feature including a paint or masking linewhich delineates the transition between the first portion of the crownhaving an area of contrasting shade or color with the shade or color ofthe face; and a second portion of the crown having an area ofcontrasting shade or color with the shade or color of the first portion,the secondary alignment feature comprising a first elongate side havinga length of from about 0.5 inches to about 1.7 inches, and a second andthird elongate side extending back from the face and rearward from andat an angle to the first elongate side.

In some embodiments the golf club heads have a body having a face, acrown and a sole together defining an interior cavity, the golf clubbody also includes a heel and a toe portion and a portion of the crowncomprises an electronic display, wherein the electronic display includesan organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display for providing activecolor and wherein the OLED display is divided into independentlyoperating electronic display zones.

In some embodiments the golf club heads have a body having a face, acrown and a sole together defining an interior cavity, the golf clubbody also includes a heel and a toe portion and a portion of the crownor a layer covering at least a portion of the crown of the golf clubhead is covered by a dielectric coating system.

In some embodiments, a golf club head is provided with a golf club body.The golf club body has a face, a crown and a sole, together defining aninterior cavity. The golf club body also includes a heel and a toeportion, and has an x, y and z axes which are orthogonal to each otherhaving their origin at USGA center face. At least one of the sole,crown, or face may be at least in part a composite material. The golfclub head further has a primary alignment feature comprising a paint ormasking line which delineates a transition between at least a firstportion of the crown having an area of contrasting shade or color with ashade or color of the face and a CG_(x) of 0 to about −4 mm. The primaryalignment feature has a Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle (SAPFA) offrom about −2 to about 10 degrees, a Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle25 mm Heelward (SAPFA25H) of from about −5 to about 2 degrees, a SightAdjusted Perceived Face Angle 25 mm Toeward (SAPFA25T) of from 0 toabout 9 degrees, a Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle 50 mm Toeward(SAPFA50T) of from about 2 to about 9 degrees, and a Radius of Curvature(circle fit) of from about 300 to about 1000 mm.

In some embodiments, score lines are provided in a location on the facecorresponding to center of gravity at the negative location with respectto the x-axis.

In some embodiments, a toe side roll contour is more lofted than thecenter face roll contour, a heel side roll contour is less lofted thanthe center face roll contour, a crown side bulge contour is more openthan the center face bulge contour, and a sole side bulge contour ismore closed than the center face bulge contour.

In some embodiments, the golf club body has a discretionary mass on thesole positioned at an angle with respect to the striking face, thediscretionary mass positioned toeward along the negative x-axis andrearward along the positive y-axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated toemphasize the general principles of the present disclosure.Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may bedesignated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistencyand clarity.

FIG. 1A is a toe side view of a golf club head in accord with oneembodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 1B is a face side view of the golf club head of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is perspective view of the golf club head of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a top view of the golf club head of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a golf club head in accord with one embodimentof the current disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a golf club head in accord with one embodimentof the current disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a golf club head in accord with one embodimentof the current disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a golf club head in accord with one embodimentof the current disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a golf club head in accord with one embodimentof the current disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a golf club head in accord with one embodimentof the current disclosure.

FIG. 8A is a front view of the apparatus used for measuring a SightAdjusted Perceived Face Angle in accordance with the current disclosure.

FIG. 8B is a close up view of the arrangement of the laser and camerasin the apparatus used for measuring a Sight Adjusted Perceived FaceAngle in accordance with the current disclosure.

FIG. 8C is a side view of a golf club head fixture in apparatus used formeasuring a Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle in accordance with thecurrent disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a graph of the Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle vs. theDispersion in Ball Flight for four clubs having the alignment featuresin accordance with the current disclosure.

FIG. 10A is a top view of a golf club head in accord with one embodimentof the current disclosure.

FIG. 10B is a top view of a golf club head in accord with one embodimentof the current disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a reference to the CIELAB color system.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view from a toe side of a golf club head inaccord with one embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view from a heel side of a golf club head inaccord with one embodiment of the current disclosure, with sole andcrown inserts removed.

FIG. 14A is a top view of a golf club head in accord with one embodimentof the current disclosure, with a crown insert removed.

FIG. 14B is a top cross-sectional view of a front portion of a golf clubhead in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a bottom perspective view of a golf club head in accord withone embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of a golf club head in accord withone embodiment of the current disclosure, with two sole inserts removed.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a golf club head in accordwith one embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 18 is a bottom perspective view from a heel side of a golf clubhead in accord with one embodiment of the current disclosure.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view from a toe side of a golf club head inaccord with one embodiment of the current disclosure, providingelevation markers on the golf club head at various heights relative to aground plane.

FIG. 20 a is a front elevation view of a golf club according to anembodiment.

FIG. 20 b is an exaggerated comparative view of face surface contourstaken along section lines A-A, B-B, and C-C of FIG. 20 a , as seen froma heel view.

FIG. 20 c is an exaggerated comparative view of face surface contourstaken along section lines D-D, E-E, and F-F of FIG. 20 a , as seen froma top view.

FIG. 21 is a front view of a golf club face with multiple measurementpoints and four quadrants.

FIG. 22 a is an isometric view of an exemplary twisted face surfaceplane.

FIG. 22 b is a top view of an exemplary twisted face surface plane.

FIG. 22 c is an elevated heel view of an exemplary twisted face surfaceplane.

FIG. 23 illustrates a front view of a golf club with a predetermined setof measurement points.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a method in accordance with one or more of thepresent embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed are various golf clubs as well as golf club heads includingalignment features along with associated methods, systems, devices, andvarious apparatus. It would be understood by one of skill in the artthat the disclosed golf clubs and golf club heads are described in but afew exemplary embodiments among many. No particular terminology ordescription should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scopeof any claims issuing therefrom.

The sport of golf is fraught with many challenges. Enjoyment of the gameis increased by addressing the need to hit the golf ball further,straighter, and with more skill. As one progresses in golfing ability,the ability to compete at golf becomes a source of enjoyment. However,one does not simply hit a golf ball straighter or further by meredesire. Like most things, skill is increased with practice—be itrepetition or instruction—so that certain elements of the game becomeeasier over time. But it may also be possible to improve one's level ofplay through technology.

Much technological progress in the past several decades of golf clubdesign has emphasized the ability to hit the golf ball further. Some ofthese developments include increased coefficient of restitution (COR),larger golf club heads, lighter golf club heads, graphite shafts forfaster club speed, and center of gravity manipulation to improve spincharacteristics, among others. Other developments have addressed agolfer's variability from shot-to-shot, including larger golf clubheads, higher moment of inertia (MOI), variable face thickness toincrease COR for off-center shots, and more. Still further developmentsaddress a golfer's consistent miss-hits—of which the most commonmiss-hit is a slice—including flight control technology (FCT, such asloft and lie connection sleeves to adjust, inter alia, face angle),moveable weights, sliding weight technologies, and adjustable solepieces (ASP). Such technologies aid golfers in fixing a consistent miss,such that a particular error can be addressed.

As such, modern technology has done much to improve the golfer'sexperience and to tailor the golf club to the needs of the particularplayer. However, some methods are more effective than others atachieving the desired playing results. For example, research suggeststhat—for a drive of about 280 yards—a 1° difference in face angle atimpact may account for about 16 yards of lateral dispersion in theresultant shot. Similarly, for moveable weights, changes in balance ofweight by 12 grams moving for about 50 mm may result in about 15 yardsof lateral dispersion on the resultant shot. However, it is alsounderstood that a change in lie angle of the golf club head affects theface angle, but at a much smaller degree. As such, simply by increasinglie angle by 1°, the face angle alignment of the golf club head may beadjusted by 0.1° open or closed. As such, for better players who aresimply trying to tune their ball flight, adjusting lie angle may be muchmore finely tunable than adjusting face angle. However, for manygolfers, slicing (a rightward-curving shot for a right-handed golfer, asunderstood in the art) is the primary miss, and correction of such shotis paramount to enjoyment of the game.

One of the major challenges in the game of golf involves the differencebetween perception and reality. Golf includes psychologicalchallenges—as the player's confidence wanes, his or her ability toperform particular shots often wanes as well. Similarly, a player'sperception of his or her own swing or game may be drastically differentfrom the reality. Some technology may address the player's perceptionand help aid in understanding the misconceptions. For example,technology disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,771,095 to Beach, et. al,entitled “CONTRAST-ENHANCED GOLF CLUB HEADS,” filed Mar. 18, 2011,provides a player with a clearer understanding of his or her alignmentthan some of the preexisting art at the time, which may improve thatplayer's ability to repeat his or her shots. However, it may be morehelpful to provide those players a method to address the misconceptionsand provide correction for them.

We have now surprisingly found that alignment features that includes allor a portion of the interface region between the areas of contrastingshade or color on the crown of the club head and the face of the clubhead and/or all or a portion of the interface region between areas ofcontrasting shade or color on different portions on the crown of theclub head allows for improved performance in the resulting clubs byaccounting for not only the actual alignment of the club head by thegolfer during the shot but also as modified by the perceived alignmentof the club head by the golfer. One example of a combination ofcontrasting colors or shades would be for example a black or metallicgrey or silver color contrasting with white, but also included are othercombinations which provide at a minimum a “just noticeable difference”to the human eye.

Although a “just noticeable difference” in terms of colors of a golfclub head is to a degree somewhat subjective based on an individual'svisual acuity, it can be quantified with reference to the CIELAB colorsystem, a three dimensional system which defines a color space withrespect to three channels or scales, one scale or axis for Luminance(lightness) (L) an “a” axis which extends from green (−a) to red (+a)and a “b” axis from blue (−b) to yellow (+b). This three dimensionalaxis is illustrated in FIG. 11 .

A color difference between two colors can then be quantified using thefollowing formula;ΔE* _(ab)=√{square root over ((L* ₂ −L* ₁)²+(a* ₂ −a* ₁)²+(b* ₂ −b*₁)²)}

where

(L*₁, a*₁ and b*₁) and (L*₂, a*₂ and b*₂) represents two colors in theL,a,b space and where

ΔE*_(ab)=2.3 sets the threshold for the “just noticeable difference”under illuminant conditions using the reference illuminant D65 (similarto outside day lighting) as described in CIE 15.2-1986.

Thus, for the alignment features of the golf clubs of the presentinvention, a contrasting color difference, ΔE*_(ab), is greater than2.3, preferably greater than 10, more preferably greater than 20, evenmore preferably greater than 40 and even more preferably greater than60.

For general reference, a golf club head 100 is seen with reference toFIGS. 1A-1D. One embodiment of a golf club head 100 is disclosed anddescribed with reference to FIGS. 1A-1D. As seen in FIG. 1A, the golfclub head 100 includes a face 110, a crown 120, a sole 130, a skirt 140,and a hosel 150. Major portions of the golf club head 100 not includingthe face 110 are considered to be the golf club body for the purposes ofthis disclosure.

The metal wood club head 100 has a volume, typically measured incubic-centimeters (cm³), equal to the volumetric displacement of theclub head 100, assuming any apertures are sealed by a substantiallyplanar surface. (See United States Golf Association “Procedure forMeasuring the Club Head Size of Wood Clubs,” Revision 1.0, Nov. 21,2003). In other words, for a golf club head with one or more weightports within the head, it is assumed that the weight ports are eithernot present or are “covered” by regular, imaginary surfaces, such thatthe club head volume is not affected by the presence or absence ofports. In several embodiments, a golf club head of the presentapplication can be configured to have a head volume between about 110cm³ and about 600 cm³. In more particular embodiments, the head volumeis between about 250 cm³ and about 500 cm³. In yet more specificembodiments, the head volume is between about 300 cm³ and about 500 cm³,between 300 cm³ and about 360 cm³, between about 360 cm³ and about 420cm³ or between about 420 cm³ and about 500 cm³.

In the case of a driver, the golf club head has a volume betweenapproximately 300 cm³ and approximately 460 cm³, and a total massbetween approximately 145 g and approximately 245 g. In the case of afairway wood, the golf club head 10 has a volume between approximately100 cm³ and approximately 250 cm³, and a total mass betweenapproximately 145 g and approximately 260 g. In the case of a utility orhybrid club the golf club head 10 has a volume between approximately 60cm³ and approximately 150 cm³, and a total mass between approximately145 g and approximately 280 g.

A three dimensional reference coordinate system 200 is shown. An origin205 (CF) of the coordinate system 200 is located at the center of theface (CF) of the golf club head 100. See U.S.G.A. “Procedure forMeasuring the Flexibility of a Golf Clubhead,” Revision 2.0, Mar. 25,2005, for the methodology to measure the center of the striking face ofa golf club. The coordinate system 200 includes a z-axis 206, a y-axis207, and an x-axis 208 (shown in FIG. 1B). Each axis 206,207,208 isorthogonal to each other axis 206,207,208. The x-axis 208 is tangentialto the face 110 and parallel to a ground plane (GP). The golf club head100 includes a leading edge 170 and a trailing edge 180. For thepurposes of this disclosure, the leading edge 170 is defined by a curve,the curve being defined by a series of forward most points, each forwardmost point being defined as the point on the golf club head 100 that ismost forward as measured parallel to the y-axis 207 for anycross-section taken parallel to the plane formed by the y-axis 207 andthe z-axis 206. The face 110 may include grooves or score lines invarious embodiments. In various embodiments, the leading edge 170 mayalso be the edge at which the curvature of the particular section of thegolf club head departs substantially from the roll and bulge radii.

As seen with reference to FIG. 1B, the x-axis 208 is parallel to the GPonto which the golf club head 100 may be properly soled—arranged so thatthe sole 130 is in contact with the GP in the desired arrangement of thegolf club head 100. The y-axis 207 is also parallel to the GP and isorthogonal to the x-axis 208. The z-axis 206 is orthogonal to the x-axis208, the y-axis 207, and the GP. The golf club head 100 includes a toe185 and a heel 190. The golf club head 100 includes a shaft axis (SA)defined along an axis of the hosel 150. When assembled as a golf club,the golf club head 100 is connected to a golf club shaft (not shown).Typically, the golf club shaft is inserted into a shaft bore 245 definedin the hosel 150. As such, the arrangement of the SA with respect to thegolf club head 100 can define how the golf club head 100 is used. The SAis aligned at an angle 198 with respect to the GP. The angle 198 (LA) isknown in the art as the lie angle (LA) of the golf club head 100. Aground plane intersection point (GPIP) of the SA and the GP is shown forreference. In various embodiments, the GPIP may be used as a point ofreference from which features of the golf club head 100 may be measuredor referenced. As shown with reference to FIG. 1A, the SA is locatedaway from the origin 205 such that the SA does not directly intersectthe origin or any of the axes 206,207,208 in the current embodiment. Invarious embodiments, the SA may be arranged to intersect at least oneaxis 206,207,208 and/or the origin 205. A z-axis ground planeintersection point 212 can be seen as the point that the z-axisintersects the GP. The top view seen in FIG. 1D shows another view ofthe golf club head 100. The shaft bore 245 can be seen defined in thehosel 150.

Referring back to FIG. 1A, a crown height 162 is shown and measured asthe height from the GP to the highest point of the crown 120 as measuredparallel to the z-axis 206. The golf club head 100 also has an effectiveface height 163 that is a height of the face 110 as measured parallel tothe z-axis 206. The effective face height 163 measures from a highestpoint on the face 110 to a lowest point on the face 110 proximate theleading edge 170. A transition exists between the crown 120 and the face110 such that the highest point on the face 110 may be slightly variantfrom one embodiment to another. In the current embodiment, the highestpoint on the face 110 and the lowest point on the face 110 are points atwhich the curvature of the face 110 deviates substantially from a rollradius. In some embodiments, the deviation characterizing such point maybe a 10% change in the radius of curvature. In various embodiments, theeffective face height 163 may be 2-7 mm less than the crown height 162.In various embodiments, the effective face height 163 may be 2-12 mmless than the crown height 162. An effective face position height 164 isa height from the GP to the lowest point on the face 110 as measured inthe direction of the z-axis 206. In various embodiments, the effectiveface position height 164 may be 2-6 mm. In various embodiments, theeffect face position height 164 may be 0-10 mm. A distance 177 of thegolf club head 100 as measured in the direction of the y-axis 207 isseen as well with reference to FIG. 1A. The distance 177 is ameasurement of the length from the leading edge 170 to the trailing edge180. The distance 177 may be dependent on the loft of the golf club headin various embodiments.

For the sake of the disclosure, portions and references disclosed abovewill remain consistent through the various embodiments of the disclosureunless modified. One of skill in the art would understand thatreferences pertaining to one embodiment may be included with the variousother embodiments.

As seen with reference to FIG. 2 , a golf club head 500 includes apainted crown 120 and unpainted face 110. Painted or otherwisecontrast-enabled crowns have been utilized as described in U.S. Pat. No.8,771,095 to Beach, et. al, entitled “CONTRAST-ENHANCED GOLF CLUBHEADS,” filed Mar. 18, 2011, to provide golfers with aided alignment.Typically the golfer employs the crown to face transition or top-line toalign the club with the desired direction of the target line. Thetop-line transition is clearly delineated by a masking line between thepainted crown and the unpainted face. While such features may have beendescribed to some degree, use of the features to bias alignment has notbeen conceived in the art. With the golf club head 500 of the currentembodiment, one of skill in the art would understand that thehigh-contrast described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,771,095 to Beach, et. al,entitled “CONTRAST-ENHANCED GOLF CLUB HEADS,” filed Mar. 18, 2011, maybe beneficial for emphasizing various alignment features. As such, thedisclosure is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

For reference, a face angle tangent 505 is seen in FIG. 2 . The faceangle tangent 505 indicates a tangent line to the center face 205. Theface angle tangent 505 in the current embodiment is coincident with thex-axis 206 (as seen with reference to prior FIGS.). Also seen in FIG. 2is a top tangent 510. In the current embodiment, the top tangent 510 isa line made tangent to a top of the face 110 because, in the currentembodiment, a joint between the face 110 and the crown 120 is coincidentwith paint lines. The top tangent 510 in the several embodiments of thecurrent disclosure will follow the contours of various paint lines ofthe crown 120, and one of skill in the art would understand that the toptangent 510 need not necessarily be coincident with a tangent to theface 110. However, in the current embodiment, the top tangent 510 isparallel to the face angle tangent 505. As such, the paint of the crown120 can be described as appearing square with the face angle.

The purpose of highlighting such features of the golf club head 500 isto provide a basis for the discussion of alignment with respect to thecurrent disclosure. Through variations in alignment patterns, it may bepossible to influence the golfer such that the golfer alters his or herplay because of the appearance of misalignment. If a player perceivesthat the golf club head is such that the face is open with reference tothe intended target, he or she would be more likely to try to “squareup” the face by manually closing it. Many golfers prefer not to perceivea metal wood golf club head as appearing closed, as such an appearanceis difficult to correct. However, even if such a player were to perceivethe metal wood head as being closed, such perception does not mean thatthe golf club head is aligned in a closed position relative to theintended target.

As seen with reference to FIG. 3 , a golf club head 600 includes similarhead geometries to golf club head 500. However, the golf club head 600includes a feature to alter the perceived angle of the face 110 for theuser. In the current embodiment, a top tangent 610 that is aligned at anangle 615 with respect to the face angle tangent 505 such that theperceived angle of the face (Perceived Face Angle, PFA) is differentfrom the actual alignment of the face angle tangent 505. In the currentembodiment, the angle 615 is about 4°. In various embodiments, the angle615 may be 2°-6°. In various embodiments, the angle 615 may be less than7°. In various embodiments, the angle 615 may be 5-10°. In variousembodiments, the angle 615 may be less than 12°. In various embodiments,the angle 615 may be up to 15°. As indicated with respect to top tangent510, the top tangent 610 is an indicator of the alignment of an edge ofan area of contrasting paint or shading of the crown 120 delineated by amasking line between the painted crown and the unpainted face relativeto the color or shading of the face 110 and is the line that is tangentto an edge 614 of the contrasting crown paint or crown shading at apoint 612 where the edge 614 intersects a line parallel to the y-axis207.

In various embodiments, a perceived angle may be determined by finding alinear best-fit line of various points. For such approximation, aperceived angle tangent may be determined by best fitting points on theedge 614 at coordinates of the x-axis 208 that are coincident withcenter face 205—point 612—and at points ±5 mm of CF 205 (points 622a,b), at points ±10 mm of CF 205 (points 624 a,b), at points ±15 mm ofCF 205 (points 626 a,b), and at points ±20 mm of CF 205 (points 628a,b). As such, nine points are defined along the edge 614 for best fitof the top tangent 610. In the current embodiment, the perceived angletangent is the same as the top tangent 610.

However, such method for determining the perceived angle tangent may bemost useful in cases where the edge 614 of an area of contrasting paintor shading of the crown 120 relative to the color or shading of the face110 includes different radii of relief along the toe portion and theheel portion. In such an embodiment, a line that is tangent to the edge614 at point 612 may not adequately represent the appearance of thealignment of the golf club head 600. Such an example can be seen withreference to FIG. 4 .

As seen in FIG. 4 , a golf club head 700 includes an edge 714 of an areaof contrasting paint or shading of the crown 120 relative to the coloror shading of the face 110 that is more aggressively rounded proximatethe toe 185 than prior embodiments. As such, a line 711 that isliterally tangent to the edge 714 at a point 712 that is coincident withthe y-axis 207 may not adequately describe the perception. Such a linewould be the top tangent 710. However as noted previously with referenceto golf club head 600, points 712, 722 a,b, 724 a,b, 726 a,b, and 728a,b, can be used to form a best fit line 730 that is aligned at aperceived angle 735 that is greater than an angle 715 of the top tangent710. In various embodiments, the perceived angle 735 may be within theincrements of angle 615, above, or may be up to 20° in variousembodiments. In most embodiments, the perceived angle 735 may be 8-10°.In various embodiments, the perceived angle 735 may be 9-10°. In variousembodiments, the perceived angle 735 may be 7-11®. In variousembodiments, the perceived angle 735 may be 7-8.5°. In variousembodiments, alignment may be influenced by the inclusion of analignment feature that does not invoke an edge such as edges 614, 714.As seen with reference to FIG. 5 , various embodiments of alignmentfeatures may be suggestive of the face angle and, as such, provide anappearance of alignment to the golfer without modifying paint lines.

A golf club head 800, as seen in FIG. 5 , includes an alignment feature805. The alignment feature 805 of the current embodiment includes atleast one elongate side 807—and in the current embodiment, two elongatesides 807 a and 807 b are included. The alignment feature 805 of thecurrent embodiment also includes two additional sides 808 a and 808 b.As can be seen, the alignment feature 805 is arranged such that the atleast one elongate side 807 is aligned about parallel to the x-axis. Assuch, a golfer is able to use the alignment feature 805 by aligning thedirection of the elongate side 807 in an orientation that is aboutperpendicular to the intended target. The alignment feature 805 has alength 847 as measured parallel to the x-axis 208. In the currentembodiment, the length 847 is about the same as the diameter of a golfball, or about 1.7 inches. However, in various embodiments, the length847 may be 0.5 inches, 0.75 inches, 1 inch, 1.25 inches, 1.5 inches,1.75 inches, 2 inches, 2.25 inches, 2.5 inches, or various lengthstherein. If the length 847 of the dominant elongate side 807 a or 807 bis less than about 0.3 inches, the impact of the alignment feature 805on biasing the golfer's perception decreases substantially.

However, with sufficient use, the alignment feature 805 can become theprimary focus of the golfer's attention and, as such, modifications tothe arrangement of the alignment feature 805 with respect to the x-axis208 (which is coincident with the face angle tangent 505) may allow thegolfer to bias his or her shots and thereby modify his or her outcome.

As seen with reference to FIG. 6 , a golf club head 900 includes analignment feature 905. The alignment feature 905 of the currentembodiment includes one elongate side 907 a on a side of the alignmentfeature 905 that is proximate the face 110. The alignment feature 905includes several potential rear portions. Similar to golf club head 800,golf club head 900 includes the alignment feature 905 having a potentialsecond elongate side 907 b in one embodiment. In another embodiment, anextended rear portion 907 c may also be included or may be includedseparately from elongate side 907 b. In the current embodiment, theelongate side 907 b is oriented at an angle 915 with respect to the faceangle tangent 505.

For the embodiment including second elongate side 907 b, the secondelongate side 907 b is about parallel to the elongate side 907 a. Assuch, the embodiment is similar to golf club head 800 but is oriented atangle 915. With respect to extended rear portion 907 c, the orientationof such an embodiment may appear less askew and, consequently, may bemore effective at modifying the golfer's perception of the club'salignment. A perpendicular reference line 918 is seen as a reference forbeing orthogonal to the elongate side 907 a. The perpendicular referenceline 918 intersects the elongate side 907 a at a point 919 that bisectsthe elongate side 907 a. Further, the perpendicular reference line 918intersects the x-axis 208 at an intersection point 921 that is heelwardof the center face 205. In the current embodiment, the intersectionpoint 921 is heelward of center face 205 by about 2 mm. In variousembodiments, the intersection point 921 may be about the same as centerface 205. In various embodiments, the intersection point 921 may be upto 2 mm heelward of center face 205. In various embodiments, theintersection point 921 may be up to 5 mm heelward of center face 205. Invarious embodiments, the intersection point 921 may be somewhat toewardof center face 205. In various embodiments, the intersection point 921may be ±2 mm of the center face 205.

Another embodiment of a golf club head 1100, shown in FIG. 7 , includesan alignment feature 1105. The alignment feature has a first elongateside 1107 a and a second elongate side 1107 b. In the currentembodiment, however, the first elongate side 1107 a is about parallelwith the face angle tangent 505 and the x-axis 208. However, the secondelongate side 1107 b is oriented at an angle 1115 with respect to theface angle tangent 505 such that the golfer's perception of alignmentmay be altered.

A preferred method for measuring the perceived face angle observed by agolfer further takes into account the fact that most golfers have adominant left eye and when they address the ball with the club head, adirect line between the left eye and center face would actually crossthe topline heel ward of center face and thus this is where an alignmentfeature which includes an edge of an area of contrasting paint orshading of the crown 120 relative to the color or shading of the face110 would exert the most effect on the golfer's perception of the faceangle. This perceived face angle is thus called a Sight AdjustedPerceived Face Angle (SAPFA) and is measured using the apparatus shownin FIGS. 8A-8C.

The apparatus used is shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C and includes a frame1203 which holds a fixture 1205 for holding and aligning a golf clubshaft 1207 and attached golf club head 1209 at a Lie Angle of 45°. Theface of the golf club head 1209 is also set at a face angle of 0° usinga face angle gauge 1211. The face angle gauge may be any commonly usedin the industry such as a De la Cruz face angle gauge). After settingthe loft and lie angle the club is clamped in the fixture using a screwclamp 1213. The frame 1203 also includes an attachment point 1215 formounting two cameras 1217 and 1219 and a Calpac LaserCP-TIM-230-9-1L-635 (Fine/Precise Red Line Laser Diode Module Class II:1 mW/635 nm), 1221. The center of the lens of camera 1219 is situated atthe x, y and z coordinates (namely 766 mm, 149 mm, 1411 mm) using thepreviously defined x y and z axes with USGA center face (as measuredusing the procedure in U.S.G.A. “Procedure for Measuring the Flexibilityof a Golf Clubhead,” Revision 2.0, Mar. 25, 2005, “USGA Center Face”) asthe origin, and where a positive x coordinate represents a position heelward of center face, a positive y coordinate represent a positionrearward of center face and a positive z coordinate represents aposition above center face. The laser is situated between the twocameras.

As shown in FIG. 8C the laser produces a line 1223 having an axisparallel to the camera axis and projecting along the y axis which isadjusted such that the line intersects USGA Center Face 1225. The point1227 at which the line then intersects the edge of an area ofcontrasting paint or shading of the crown 120 relative to the color orshading of the face 110 which in this case corresponds to the whitepaint line of the crown 1229 is then physically marked on the paint lineusing a marker and acts a the datum or reference point. A camera is thenactivated to take an image of the club head including the datum orreference point 1227 and the paint line 1229.

The image from the camera is then analyzed using an image analyzersoftware package (which can be any of these known in the art able toimport an image and can fit a line to the image using a curve fittingfunction). A best fit line to the paint line is then determined. Formost embodiments the best fit to the paint line results from fitting theline to a quadratic equation of the form y=ax²+bx+c. Two points are thenselected on this best fit line at arc length between +/−0.25 mm from thedatum point. A straight line is then drawn between the two points and aline perpendicular to this line is then drawn through the datum. TheSight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle (SAPFA) is then measured as theangle between the perpendicular line and the y axis.

Using this method the Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle (SAPFA) of thegolf clubs of the present invention may be from −2 to 10, preferablyfrom 0 to 6, more preferably from 0.5 to 4 even more preferably from 1to 2.5 and most preferably from 1.5 to 2 degrees.

EXAMPLES

Four identical club heads were taken and the paint line edge of an areaof contrasting paint or shading of the crown 120 relative to the coloror shading of the face 110 was varied and the Sight Adjusted PerceivedFace Angles (SAPFA) measured.

In addition to the Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angles (SAPFA) fouradditional measurements were taken to describe the paint line edgealignment feature of the four clubs and these values are summarized inTable 1.

In addition to the SAPFA, three additional angles were measured atdifferent points as measured from the datum along the best fit line tothe paint line edge alignment feature determined as for the SAPFA. Thefirst angle was obtained at a point along the best fit line at an arclength 25 mm heelward of the datum. Again as for the SAPFA measurement,two points at arc length between +/−0.25 mm from the 25 mm point wereselected. A straight line is then drawn between these two points and aline perpendicular to this line is then drawn at the 25 mm point. Theangle is then measured between this perpendicular line and the y axis.This angle is reported as the Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle 25 mmHeelward (“SAPFA_(25H)”).

The second angle was obtained at a point along the best fit line at anarc length 25 mm toeward of the datum. Again as for the SAPFAmeasurement, two points at arc length between +/−0.25 mm from the 25 mmpoint were selected. A straight line is then drawn between the twopoints and a line perpendicular to this line is then drawn at the 25 mmpoint. The angle is then measured between this perpendicular line andthe y axis. This angle is reported as the Sight Adjusted Perceived FaceAngle 25 mm Toeward (“SAPFA_(25T)”).

In addition, to capture any effect of greater rounding of the paint lineedge alignment feature towards the toe of the golf club head, a thirdangle was obtained at a point along the best fit line at an arc length50 mm toeward of the datum. Again as for the SAPFA measurement, twopoints at arc length between +/−0.25 mm from the 25 mm point wereselected. A straight line is then drawn between the two points and aline perpendicular to this line is then drawn at the 50 mm point. Theangle is then measured between this perpendicular line and the y axis.This angle is reported as the Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle 50 mmToeward (“SAPFA_(50T)”).

Finally, in an attempt to describe more of the paint line edge alignmentfeature, the image of the paint line edge alignment feature importedinto the image analyzer as for the SAPFA measurement was also fit to acircle using the formula (x−a)²+(y−b)²=r², and the radius of curvatureof this circular fit line determined and reported in Table 1 as theRadius of Curvature (circle fit).

TABLE 1 Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Radius Angle 25 mm Angle 25 mmAngle 50 mm Example Angle (SAPFA) of Curvature Heelward Toeward ToewardNo. (degrees) (circle fit, mm) (degrees) (degrees) (degrees) 1 3.5722570.47 1.1377 5.9453 8.2757 2 5.2813 419.53 1.7509 8.6871 11.9168 30.2927 781.02 −1.4461 2.0189 3.7129 4 −0.5925 568.21 −3.06 1.8533 4.245

Each club was then hit between 6 to 12 times by 10 different playersinto a blank screen with no trajectory or other feedback available tothe player, and a Trackman 3e launch monitor and the TPS softwarepackage were used to calculate the total dispersion from a center targetline with a positive total dispersion indicating the number of yardsright of the center target line and a negative total dispersionindicating the number of yards left of the center target line. Thus, aplayer who has a tendency to slice the ball i.e. produce a ball flightright of the target line would be assisted in producing a shot closer tothe target line if the golf club tended to yield a more negativedispersion.

The graph in FIG. 9 plots the Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle(SAPFA) versus the average total dispersion of each club when hit 6-12times by each player. The data show that adjustment of the edge of anarea of contrasting paint or shading of the crown relative to the coloror shading of the face such that the Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle(SAPFA) of the golf club goes from −0.88 degrees through 0.5 degreesthrough 3.34 degrees to 5.55 degrees results in an overall change intotal dispersion from 8.6 yards to the right of the target line to 24.2yards to the left of the target i.e. an absolute change in totaldispersion of 32.8 yards from the same club head by solely manipulatingthe appearance of the paint line comprising the primary alignmentfeature.

The golf club heads of the present invention have a Sight AdjustedPerceived Face Angle (SAPFA) of from about −2 to about 10, preferably offrom about 0 to about 6, more preferably of from about 0.5 to about 4even more preferably of from about 1 to about 2.5 and most preferably offrom about 1.5 to about 2 degrees.

The golf club heads of the present invention also have a Sight AdjustedPerceived Face Angle 25 mm Heelward (“SAPFA_(25H)”) of from about −5 toabout 2, more preferably of from about −3 to 0, even more preferably offrom about −2 to about −1 degrees.

The golf club heads of the present invention also have a Sight AdjustedPerceived Face Angle 25 mm Toeward (“SAPFA_(25T)”) of from 0 to about 9,more preferably of from about 1 to about 4.5, even more preferably offrom about 2 to about 4 degrees.

The golf club heads of the present invention also have a Sight AdjustedPerceived Face Angle 50 mm Toeward (“SAPFA_(50T)”) of from about 2 toabout 9, more preferably of from about 3.5 to about 8, even morepreferably of from about 4 to about 7 degrees.

The golf club heads of the present invention also have a Radius ofCurvature (circle fit) of from about 300 to about 1000, more preferablyof from about 400 to about 900, even more preferably of from about 500to about 775 mm.

In other embodiments, the golf club head in addition to having a firstor primary alignment feature as described earlier with reference toFIGS. 1-4 , may also have a second or secondary alignment featureincluding the alignment features as described earlier with reference toFIGS. 5, 6 and 7 .

In an especially preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B,the golf club head 1400 of the present invention can have a crown 120having a first crown portion 120 a having a first color or shade and asecond crown portion 120 b having a second color or shade, and a primaryalignment feature consisting of a an edge 1402 of an area of contrastingpaint or shading of the first crown portion 120 a relative to the coloror shading of the face 110 as described earlier and illustrated, e.g.,in FIGS. 3 and 4 . In addition, the club head has a secondary alignmentfeature 1404 proximate the face but rearward of the primary alignmentfeature and delineated by a second paint or masking line whichdelineates the transition between the first crown portion 120 a havingan area of contrasting shade or color with the shade or color of theface 110; and a second crown portion 120 b having an area of contrastingshade or color with the shade or color of the first crown portion 120 a.The secondary alignment feature a comprises an elongate side 1406 havinga length of from about 0.5 inches to about 1.7 inches, and a second andthird elongate side 1408 a and 1408 b extending back from the face andat an angle to elongate side 1406 and rearward of elongate side 1406.

The Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle Secondary Alignment Feature,(“SAPFA_(SAF)”) of the secondary alignment feature constituting elongateside 1406 and the second and third elongate sides 1408 a and 1408 b maybe measured by importing the image of the club head obtained as per themeasurement for the SAPFA. Points 1410 b and 1410 a are selected whichare the innermost ends of the radii connecting lines 1408 b and 1408 awith elongate side 1406 as shown in FIG. 10B. A best fit quadratic lineis then fit for the secondary alignment feature between point 1410 a and1410 b and then a datum 1412 is determined as the center point along thearc length of the best fit line, again as for the SAPFA measurement, twopoints at arc length between +/−0.25 mm from the datum were selected. Astraight line is then drawn between these two points and a lineperpendicular to this line is then drawn at the datum. The SightAdjusted Perceived Face Angle Secondary Alignment Feature,(“SAPFA_(SAF)”) is then measured as the angle between this perpendicularline and the y axis.

In some embodiments, the golf club heads of the present invention alsohave a Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle Secondary Alignment Feature,(“SAPFA_(SAF)”) of from about −2 to about 6, more preferably of from 0to about 5, even more preferably of from about 1.5 to about 4 degrees.

The primary and secondary alignment features as described hereintypically utilize paint lines which demark the edge of an area ofcontrasting paint, e.g., between first crown portion 120 a and secondcrown portion 120 b, or shading of the crown 120 relative to the coloror shading of the face 110. Preferably the contrasting colors are whitein the crown area (e.g., first crown portion 120 a) and black in theface area. Typically painting or shading of golf club heads is performedat the time of manufacture and thus are fixed for the lifetime of theclub absent some additional painting performed after purchase by theowner. It would be highly advantageous if the profile of the alignmentfeatures could be adjusted by the user using a simple method which wouldallow adjustment of the perceived face angle by the user in response tothe golfer's observed ball direction tendency on any given day.

In some embodiments of the golf club heads of the present invention thecrown 120 comprises a rotatable or otherwise movable portion, e.g., thefirst crown portion 120 a, with one side of said portion including theedge of an area of contrasting paint or shading of the crown 120relative to the color or shading of the face 110 or relative to thecolor or shading of the second crown portion 120 b, which can be rotatedor moved sufficient to yield the desired Perceived Face Angle, PFAand/or Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle (SAPFA) and/or Sight AdjustedPerceived Face Angle Secondary Alignment Feature, (“SAPFA_(SAF)”) toproduce the desired ball flight. The movable portion of the crown isheld in position by a fastening device such as a screw or bolt or otherfastening means 1415, which is loosened to allow for rotation ormovement and then subsequently tightened to fix the position of thecrown after adjustment.

In addition to a portion of the crown being movable, other embodimentsinclude a movable layer or cover on top of the crown with one side ofsaid movable layer or cover including the edge of an area of contrastingpaint or shading of the crown 120, e.g., the first crown portion 120 a,relative to the color or shading of the face 110 or relative to thecolor or shading of the second crown portion 120 b, which can be rotatedor moved sufficient to yield the desired Perceived Face Angle, PFAand/or Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle (SAPFA) and/or Sight AdjustedPerceived Face Angle Secondary Alignment Feature, (“SAPFA_(SAF)”). Themovable portion of the layer or cover is again held in position by afastening device such as a screw or bolt or other fastening means 1415,which is loosened to allow for rotation or movement and thensubsequently tightened to fix the position of the movable layer or coverafter adjustment.

In other embodiments a portion of the crown 120, e.g., first crownportion 120 a, second crown portion 120 b, or both, may compriseelectronic features, e.g. electronic graphic display 1440, e.g. asillustrated in FIG. 10A, which can be selectively activated to generatethe required appearance including but not limited to light emittingdiodes (LED), organic LED's (OLED), printed electronics withillumination devices, embedded electronics with illumination devices,electroluminescent devices, and so-called quantum dots.

In other embodiments, a portion of the crown 120, e.g., first crownportion 120 a, second crown portion 120 b, or both, may comprise acoating that alters its characteristics when exposed to externalconditions including but not limited to thermochromic coatings,photochromic coatings, electrochromic coatings and paramagnetic paint.

In one preferred embodiment, illustrated, e.g., with regard to FIG. 10A,at least a portion of the crown 120 of the golf club head, e.g., firstcrown portion 120 a, second crown portion 120 b, or both, or a layercovering at least a portion of the crown of the golf club head,comprises an electronic graphic display 1440. The display 1440 providesactive color and graphic control for either the entire top portion ofthe crown 120 or layer covering at least a portion of the crown e.g.,first crown portion 120 a, second crown portion 120 b, or both. Thedisplay 1440 may be constructed from flexible organic light-emittingdiodes (OLED) displays, e-ink technology, digital fabrics, or otherknown means of active electronic color and graphic display means. Forexample, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) (e.g., a light emittingpolymer (LEP), and organic electro luminescence (OEL)) is alight-emitting diode (LED) whose emissive electroluminescent layer iscomposed of a film of organic compounds. The layer usually contains apolymer substance that allows suitable organic compounds to be depositedin rows and columns onto a carrier substrate such as the at least aportion of the crown of the golf club head or a layer covering at leasta portion of the crown of the golf club head, by a simple “printing”process. The resulting, matrix of pixels can emit light of differentcolors.

In some embodiments, the at least a portion of the crown 120 of the golfclub head, e.g., first crown portion 120 a, second crown portion 120 b,or both or a layer covering at least a portion of the crown of the golfclub head is segmented into portions which may be controlled differentlyfrom each other. For example, one side of the alignment feature, e.g.second crown portion 120 b or face 110, has a static surface color andthe other side, e.g., first crown portion 120 a or crown 120, a second,contrasting surface color display capability, e.g., electronic graphicdisplay 1440.

The display 1440 is operatively connected to a microprocessor 1450disposed in the golf club head (e.g., via wires). The microprocessor isfurther operatively connected to a data port 1460, for example auniversal serial bus (USB) port (e.g., via wires). The data port allowstransfer and retrieval of data to and from the microprocessor. Dataports and data transfer protocols are well known to one of ordinaryskill in the art. The data port (e.g., a USB port) may be disposed inthe rearward area of the golf club head.

Data can be obtained from a variety of sources 1480. In someembodiments, an Internet website 1484 is dedicated to support of thegolf club head of the present invention. For example, the website maycontain downloadable data and protocols (e.g., colors, color patterns,images, video content, logos, etc.) that can be uploaded into themicroprocessor 1450 of the golf club head (via the data port 1460, via acable, via a computer 1482). As an example, the website may have agallery for choosing colors to be displayed, as well as patterns of thecolors

In some embodiments, data can be uploaded from other sources 1480, forexample DVDs, CDs, memory devices (e.g., flash memory) 1486, and thelike, Sources may also include cellular phones, smart phones, personaldigital assistants (PDAs), digital vending kiosks 1488, and the like. Insome embodiments, the data can be uploaded and downloaded via othermechanisms, for example, wired mechanisms 1490 or wirelessly 1495, e.g.,via a wireless mechanism 1465. Such mechanisms may include Bluetooth™,infrared datalink (IrDa), Wi-Fi, UWB, and the like.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, one or more controlbuttons 1470 are disposed on the golf club head allowing a user tomanipulate the display 1440 as desired. The control buttons areoperatively connected to the microprocessor 1450. The microprocessor isconfigured to receive input signals from the control buttons and furthersend output commands to manipulate the display. The control buttons maybe operatively connected to the display and/or the microprocessor viaone or more wires.

The microprocessor 1450 and/or display 1440 are operatively connected toa power source, for example a battery 1472. The battery may berechargeable. In some embodiments, the battery comprises a control means1474 for turning on and off the device. All wires and data ports andother electronic systems are adapted to sustain the impact forcesincurred when a golfer hits a golf ball with the golf club head.

In other embodiments of the golf club heads of the present invention amethod to accomplish user adjustably of the alignment feature wouldinvolve at least a portion of the crown 120 of the golf club head, e.g.,first crown portion 120 a, second crown portion 120 b, or both, or alayer covering at least a portion of the crown of the golf club head,being covered by a dielectric electroluminescent coating system using asone example the materials and methods as described in U.S. Pat. No.6,926,972 by M. Jakobi et al., issuing on Aug. 9, 2005 and assigned tothe BASF Corporation, the entire contents of which are incorporated byreference herein. Using this technology an electric current (provided bya small battery e.g., battery 1472, fixed securely in the golf club headcavity) could be selectively employed to use electroluminescence tohighlight (or eliminate) a particular color thereby adjusting theorientation of the primary or secondary alignment features describedherein.

In some embodiments, the golf club head may include sensors, such asdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/996,854, filed Jun. 4,2018, which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, the golfclub may include one or more sensors for measuring swing speed, faceangle, lie angle, tempo, swing path, face angle to swing pathrelationships, dynamic loft, and shaft lean. Other measurements mayinclude back stroke time, forward stroke time, total stroke time, tempo,impact stroke speed, impact location, back stroke length, back strokerotation, forward stroke rotation, rotation change, lie, and loft.Further measurements may include golf shot locations during play andgolf shot distance data. Additional and different measurements may alsobe captured. The measurements may be captured during a full swing, shortgame, putting, or during other golf swings.

The one or more sensors may include motion sensors, accelerometers, gyrosensors, magnetometers, global positioning system (GPS) sensors, opticalmarkers, or other sensors. The one or more sensors may be attached tothe golf club head, integrated into a display of the golf club, attachedto or integrated into the shaft of the golf club (e.g., proximate to thebutt end of golf club grip, along the shaft, or at another location),housed within the golf club grip, and/or attached to or integrated intoanother portion of the golf club. In an embodiment, multiple sensors areprovided on the golf club, such as at the same or different portions ofthe golf club. For example, a first sensor may be attached to orintegrated into the golf club head and a second sensor housed within thegrip of the golf club or attached to the golf club shaft. Additional anddifferent multiple sensor arrangements may be used.

In an embodiment, a display or another electronic feature of the golfclub may display one or more of the measured values on the crown oranother portion of the golf club head. For example, the display oranother electronic feature may be a removable display device, or mayintegrated into user device, such as a PDA, smart phone, iPhone, iPad,iPod, or other computing device. The one or more measured values may bedisplayed using an application running on the display device or using adevice associated with the display or other electronic feature of thegolf club head. In some embodiments, the sensors may be configured tocommunicate with an external device, such as a computing device (e.g.,personal computer (PC), laptop computer, tablet, smart phone, cellphone, iPhone, iPad, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), server computer,or another computing device), a launch monitor, a club fitting platform,or another device. In these embodiments, the one or more measured valuesmay be displayed using an application running on the external device. Insome embodiments, the one or more sensors interact with an externaldevice, such as a video camera, to capture one or more measured values.

Referring back to FIG. 1B, a coordinate system for measuring a center ofgravity (CG) location is located at the face center 205. In oneembodiment, the positive x-axis 208 is projecting toward the heel sideof the club head and the negative x-axis 208 is projecting toward thetoe side of the golf club head. Further, the positive z-axis 206 isprojecting toward the crown side of the club head and the negativez-axis 206 is projecting toward the sole side of the golf club head.Finally, the positive y-axis 209 is projecting toward the rear of theclub head parallel to a ground plane.

In exemplary embodiments, a projected CG location on the striking faceis considered the “sweet spot” of the club head. The projected CGlocation is found by balancing the clubhead on a point. The projected CGlocation is generally projected along a line that is perpendicular tothe face of the club head. In some embodiments, the projected CGy(y-axis coordinate) location is less than 2 mm above the center facelocation, less than 1 mm above the center face, or up to 1 mm or 2 mmbelow the center face location 205. In some embodiments, the golf clubhead has a CG with a CGx (x-axis) coordinate between about −10 mm andabout 10 mm from the center face location 205, a CGy between about 15 mmand about 50 mm, and a CGz (z-axis coordinate) between about −10 mm andabout 5 mm. In some embodiments, the CGy is between about 20 mm andabout 50 mm.

The golf club head also has moments of inertia defined about three axesextending through the golf club head CG orientation, including: a CGzextending through the CG in a generally vertical direction relative tothe ground plane when the club head is at address position, a CGxextending through the CG in a heel-to-toe direction generally parallelto the striking face 110 and generally perpendicular to the CGz, and aCGy extending through the CG in a front-to-back direction and generallyperpendicular to the CGx and the CGz. The CGx and the CGy both extend ina generally horizontal direction relative to the ground plane when theclub head 100 is at the address position.

The moment of inertia about the golf club head CGx is calculated by thefollowing equation:I _(CG) _(x) =∫(y ² +z ²)dm

In the above equation, y is the distance from a golf club head CGxz-plane to an infinitesimal mass dm and z is the distance from a golfclub head CG xy-plane to the infinitesimal mass dm. The golf club headCG xz-plane is a plane defined by the CGx and the CGz. The CG xy-planeis a plane defined by the CGx and the CGy.

The moment of inertia about the golf club head CGy is calculated by thefollowing equation:I _(CG) _(y) =∫(x ² +z ²)dm

In the above equation, x is the distance from a golf club head CGyz-plane to an infinitesimal mass dm and z is the distance from a golfclub head CG xy-plane to the infinitesimal mass dm. The golf club headCG yz-plane is a plane defined by the CGy and the CGz. The CG yx-planeis a plane defined by the CGy and the CGx.

Moreover, a moment of inertia about the golf club head CGz is calculatedby the following equation:I _(CG) _(z) =∫(x ² +y ²)dm

In the equation above, x is the distance from a golf club head CGyz-plane to an infinitesimal mass dm and y is the distance from the golfclub head CG xz-plane to the infinitesimal mass dm. The golf club headCG yz-plane is a plane defined by the CGy and the CGz.

In certain implementations, the club head can have a moment of inertiaabout the CGz between about 450 kg·mm² and about 650 kg·mm², and amoment of inertia about the CGx between about 300 kg·mm² and about 500kg·mm², and a moment of inertia about the CGy between about 300 kg·mm²and about 500 kg·mm².

For a variety of reasons, it may be advantageous to orient the center ofgravity (CG) of the golf club head toward the toe. For example, usersoften strike the golf ball high (e.g., +3 to +4 mm on the z-axis) andtoeward (e.g., −5 to −7 mm on the x-axis) on the striking face. Strikingthe ball off-center (i.e., in a location different from the projected CGlocation on the striking face) generally decreases ball-speed, and as aresult, decreases the distance traveled by the golf ball.

Further, as discussed above, striking the face toeward also produces agear effect, producing hook spin. Increasing the negative CGxorientation (i.e., from −2 to −10 mm on the x-axis) may alter the geareffect by decreasing the counter-clockwise spin (i.e., for aright-handed golfer) which ultimately results in the golf ball curvingto the left.

Additionally, in order to maximize the moment of inertia (MOI) about az-axis extending through the CGz, a negative CGx orientation may beprovided. Working in conjunction with the weight of the hosel of thegolf club, a negative CGx orientation allows for greater MOI about thez-axis by strategically distributing club head weight on the x-axis atcorresponding positive and negative orientations.

Alternatively, it may be advantageous to orient the CG of the golf clubhead toward the heel. For example, by increasing positive CGxorientation (i.e., from +2 mm to 0 mm on the x-axis), the club head mayclose faster (i.e., at 400-500 rpm), increasing local club head speedand producing more ball-speed, and as a result, increasing the distancetraveled by the golf ball.

In certain implementations, the golf club head can have a CGx betweenabout +2 and about −10 mm. For example, the CGx for a golf club headwith adjustable weights (discussed below) is between about −3 mm toabout −4 mm. In certain implementations, the club head can have a lowCGz of less than 0, such as between 0 and about −4 mm. In certainimplementations, the club head can have a CGz positioned below ageometric center of the face. In certain implementations, the club headcan have a moment of inertia about the CGz (also referred to as “Izz”)above 400 kg·mm², above 460 kg·mm² or above 480 kg·mm². A moment ofinertia about the CGx (also referred to as “Ixx”) can be above 300kg·mm². The moments of inertia of the golf club head can also beexpressed as a ratio, such as a ratio of Ixx to Izz. For example, insome embodiments, a ratio of Ixx to Izz is at most 0.6, or 60%. In anexample, the golf club head can have an Ixx above 300 kg·mm² and an Izzabove 500 kg·mm², such that Ixx/Izz is less than or equal to 0.6. Inanother example, the Ixx is greater than 280 kg·mm² and the Izz isgreater than 465 kg·mm².

In certain implementations, the golf club head can have a Zup less than30 mm. For example, above ground, an alternative club head coordinatesystem places the head origin at the intersection of the z-axis and theground plane, providing positive z-axis coordinates for every club headfeature. As used herein, “Zup” means the CG z-axis location determinedaccording to this above ground coordinate system. Zup generally refersto the height of the CG above the ground plane as measured along thez-axis.

In certain implementations, the golf club head can have a Delta 1 (i.e.,measure of how far rearward in the golf club head body the CG islocated) greater than 20, such as greater than 26 in certainimplementations. More specifically, Delta 1 is the distance between theCG and the hosel axis along the y axis (in the direction straight towardthe back of the body of the golf club face from the geometric center ofthe striking face). It has been observed that smaller values of Delta 1result in lower projected CGs on the golf club head face. Thus, forembodiments of the disclosed golf club heads in which the projected CGon the ball striking club face is lower than the geometric center,reducing Delta 1 can lower the projected CG and increase the distancebetween the geometric center and the projected CG. Note also that alower projected CG can promote a higher launch and a reduction inbackspin due to the z-axis gear effect. Thus, for particular embodimentsof the disclosed golf club heads, in some cases the Delta 1 values arerelatively low, thereby reducing the amount of backspin on the golf ballhelping the golf ball obtain the desired high launch, low spintrajectory.

The United States Golf Association (USGA) regulations constrain golfclub head shapes, sizes, and moments of inertia. Due to theseconstraints, golf club manufacturers and designers struggle to producegolf club heads having maximum size and moment of inertiacharacteristics while maintaining all other golf club headcharacteristics. For example, one such constraint is a volume limitationof 460 cm³. In general, volume is measured using the water displacementmethod. However, the USGA will fill any significant cavities in the soleor series of cavities which have a collective volume of greater than 15cm³.

In some embodiments, as in the case of a fairway wood, the golf clubhead may have a volume between about 100 cm³ and about 300 cm³, such asbetween about 150 cm³ and about 250 cm³, or between about 130 cm³ andabout 190 cm³, or between about 125 cm³ and about 240 cm³, and a totalmass between about 125 g and about 260 g, or between about 200 g andabout 250 g. In the case of a utility or hybrid club, the golf club headmay have a volume between about 60 cm³ and about 150 cm³, or betweenabout 85 cm³ and about 120 cm³, and a total mass between about 125 g andabout 280 g, or between about 200 g and about 250 g. In the case of adriver, the golf club head may have a volume between about 300 cm³ andabout 600 cm³, between about 350 cm³ and about 600 cm³, and/or betweenabout 350 cm³ and about 500 cm³, and can have a total mass between about145 g and about 1060 g, such as between about 195 g and about 205 g.

Historically, CG_(x) locations were heelward about 4-6 mm. Morerecently, CG_(x) locations have been moved toeward to about −1 mm.CG_(x) locations will likely continue to be toeward, such as in theexample CG_(x) locations described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/171,237, filed Oct. 25, 2018, which is incorporated herein byreference. For example, club head has a center of gravity (CG), thelocation of which may be defined in terms of the coordinate systemdescribed above and shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1D, and in someembodiments, the club head has a CG_(x) toeward of center face as, forexample, no more than −2 mm toeward. In some embodiments the club headhas a CG_(x) of 0 to −4 mm. In some embodiments the club head has amoment of inertia about the z-axis (I_(zz)) of 480 to 600 Kg·mm² or insome embodiments greater than 490 Kg·mm², a moment of inertia about thex-axis (I_(xx)) of about 280 to 420 Kg·mm² or in some embodimentsgreater than 280 Kg·mm².

There are a variety of ways to position the CG orientations of the golfclub head. For example, in some embodiments, a composite crown and/orsole is provided to help overcome manufacturing challenges associatedwith conventional golf club heads having normal continuous crowns madeof titanium or other metals, and can replace a relatively heavycomponent of the crown with a lighter material, freeing up discretionarymass which can be strategically allocated elsewhere within the golf clubhead. In certain embodiments, the crown may comprise a compositematerial, such as those described herein and in the incorporateddisclosures, having a density of less than 2 grams per cubic centimeter.In still further embodiments, the composite material has a density of nomore than 1.5 grams per cubic centimeter, or a density between 1 gramper cubic centimeter and 2 grams per cubic centimeter. Providing alighter crown further provides the golf club head with additionaldiscretionary mass, which can be used elsewhere within the golf clubhead to serve the purposes of the designer. For example, with thediscretionary mass, additional weight can be strategically added to thehollow interior of the golf club head, or strategically located on theexterior of the golf club head, to shift the effective CG fore or aft,toeward or heelward or both (apart from any further CG adjustments madepossible by adjustable weight features), and/or to improve desirable MOIcharacteristics, as described above.

In some embodiments, the crown and/or sole may be formed in whole or inpart from a composite material, such as a carbon composite, made of acomposite including multiple plies or layers of a fibrous material(e.g., graphite, or carbon fiber including turbostratic or graphiticcarbon fiber or a hybrid structure with both graphitic and turbostraticparts present. Examples of some of these composite materials for use inthe metalwood golf clubs and their fabrication procedures are describedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/442,348 (now U.S. Pat. No.7,267,620), Ser. No. 10/831,496 (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,140,974), Ser. Nos.11/642,310, 11/825,138, 11/998,436, 11/895,195, 11/823,638, 12/004,386,12/004,387, 11/960,609, 11/960,610, and 12/156,947, which areincorporated herein by reference.

Alternatively, the crown and/or sole may be formed from short or longfiber-reinforced formulations of the previously referenced polymers.Exemplary formulations include a Nylon 6/6 polyamide formulation whichis 30% Carbon Fiber Filled and available commercially from RTP Companyunder the trade name RTP 285. The material has a Tensile Strength of35000 psi (241 MPa) as measured by ASTM D 638; a Tensile Elongation of2.0-3.0% as measured by ASTM D 638; a Tensile Modulus of 3.30×10⁶ psi(22754 Mpa) as measured by ASTM D 638; a Flexural Strength of 50000 psi(345 Mpa) as measured by ASTM D 790; and a Flexural Modulus of 2.60×10⁶psi (17927 Mpa) as measured by ASTM D 790.

Also included is a polyphthalamide (PPA) formulation which is 40% CarbonFiber Filled and available commercially from RTP Company under the tradename RTP 4087 UP. This material has a Tensile Strength of 360 Mpa asmeasured by ISO 527; a Tensile Elongation of 1.4% as measured by ISO527; a Tensile Modulus of 41500 Mpa as measured by ISO 527; a FlexuralStrength of 580 Mpa as measured by ISO 178; and a Flexural Modulus of34500 Mpa as measured by ISO 178.

Also included is a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) formulation which is 30%Carbon Fiber Filled and available commercially from RTP Company underthe trade name RTP 1385 UP. This material has a Tensile Strength of 255Mpa as measured by ISO 527; a Tensile Elongation of 1.3% as measured byISO 527; a Tensile Modulus of 28500 Mpa as measured by ISO 527; aFlexural Strength of 385 Mpa as measured by ISO 178; and a FlexuralModulus of 23,000 Mpa as measured by ISO 178.

In other embodiments, the crown and/or sole is formed as a two layeredstructure comprising an injection molded inner layer and an outer layercomprising a thermoplastic composite laminate. The injection moldedinner layer may be prepared from the thermoplastic polymers, withpreferred materials including a polyamide (PA), or thermoplasticurethane (TPU) or a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). Typically thethermoplastic composite laminate structures used to prepare the outerlayer are continuous fiber reinforced thermoplastic resins. Thecontinuous fibers include glass fibers (both roving glass and filamentglass) as well as aramid fibers and carbon fibers. The thermoplasticresins which are impregnated into these fibers to make the laminatematerials include polyamides (including but not limited to PA, PA6, PA12and PA6), polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic polyurethane or polyureas(TPU) and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

The laminates may be formed in a continuous process in which thethermoplastic matrix polymer and the individual fiber structure layersare fused together under high pressure into a single consolidatedlaminate, which can vary in both the number of layers fused to form thefinal laminate and the thickness of the final laminate. Typically thelaminate sheets are consolidated in a double-belt laminating press,resulting in products with less than 2 percent void content and fibervolumes ranging anywhere between 35 and 55 percent, in thicknesses asthin as 0.5 mm to as thick as 6.0 mm, and may include up to 20 layers.Further information on the structure and method of preparation of suchlaminate structures is disclosed in European patent No. EP1923420B1issued on Feb. 25, 2009 to Bond Laminates GMBH, the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein.

The composite laminates structure of the outer layer may also be formedfrom the TEPEX® family of resin laminates available from Bond Laminateswhich preferred examples are TEPEX® dynalite 201, a PA66 polyamideformulation with reinforcing carbon fiber, which has a density of 1.4g/cm³, a fiber content of 45 vol %, a Tensile Strength of 785 MPa asmeasured by ASTM D 638; a Tensile Modulus of 53 GPa as measured by ASTMD 638; a Flexural Strength of 760 MPa as measured by ASTM D 790; and aFlexural Modulus of 45 GPa) as measured by ASTM D 790.

Another preferred example is TEPEX® dynalite 208, a thermoplasticpolyurethane (TPU)-based formulation with reinforcing carbon fiber,which has a density of 1.5 g/cm³, a fiber content of, 45 vol %, aTensile Strength of 710 MPa as measured by ASTM D 638; a Tensile Modulusof 48 GPa as measured by ASTM D 638; a Flexural Strength of 745 MPa asmeasured by ASTM D 790; and a Flexural Modulus of 41 GPa as measured byASTM D 790.

Another preferred example is TEPEX® dynalite 207, a polyphenylenesulfide (PPS)-based formulation with reinforcing carbon fiber, which hasa density of 1.6 g/cm³, a fiber content of 45 vol %, a Tensile Strengthof 710 MPa as measured by ASTM D 638; a Tensile Modulus of 55 GPa asmeasured by ASTM D 638; a Flexural Strength of 650 MPa as measured byASTM D 790; and a Flexural Modulus of 40 GPa as measured by ASTM D 790.

There are various ways in which the multilayered composite crown may beformed. In some embodiments the outer layer, is formed separately anddiscretely from the forming of the injection molded inner layer. Theouter layer may be formed using known techniques for shapingthermoplastic composite laminates into parts including but not limitedto compression molding or rubber and matched metal press forming ordiaphragm forming.

The inner layer may be injection molded using conventional techniquesand secured to the outer crown layer by bonding methods known in the artincluding but not limited to adhesive bonding, including gluing, welding(preferable welding processes are ultrasonic welding, hot elementwelding, vibration welding, rotary friction welding or high frequencywelding (Plastics Handbook, Vol. 3/4, pages 106-107, Carl Hanser VerlagMunich & Vienna 1998)) or calendaring or mechanical fastening includingriveting, or threaded interactions.

Before the inner layer is secured to the outer layer, the outer surfaceof the inner layer and/or the inner of the outer layer may be pretreatedby means of one or more of the following processes (disclosed in moredetail in Ehrenstein, “Handbuch Kunststoff-Verbindungstechnik”, CarlHanser Verlag Munich 2004, pages 494-504):

-   -   Mechanical treatment, preferably by brushing or grinding,    -   Cleaning with liquids, preferably with aqueous solutions or        organics solvents for removal of surface deposits    -   Flame treatment, preferably with propane gas, natural gas, town        gas or butane    -   Corona treatment (potential-loaded atmospheric pressure plasma)    -   Potential-free atmospheric pressure plasma treatment    -   Low pressure plasma treatment (air and O₂ atmosphere)    -   UV light treatment    -   Chemical pretreatment, e.g. by wet chemistry by gas phase        pretreatment    -   Primers and coupling agents

In an especially preferred method of preparation a so called hybridmolding process may be used in which the composite laminate outer layeris insert molded to the injection molded inner layer to provideadditional strength. Typically the composite laminate structure isintroduced into an injection mold as a heated flat sheet or, preferably,as a preformed part. During injection molding, the thermoplasticmaterial of the inner layer is then molded to the inner surface of thecomposite laminate structure the materials fuse together to form thecrown as a highly integrated part. Typically the injection molded innerlayer is prepared from the same polymer family as the matrix materialused in the formation of the composite laminate structures used to formthe outer layer so as to ensure a good weld bond.

In addition to being formed in the desired shape for the aft body of theclub head, a thermoplastic inner layer may also be formed withadditional features including one or more stiffening ribs to impartstrength and/or desirable acoustical properties as well as one or moreweight ports to allow placement of additional tungsten (or other metal)weights.

The thickness of the inner layer is typically of from about 0.25 toabout 2 mm, preferably of from about 0.5 to about 1.25 mm.

The thickness of the composite laminate structure used to form the outerlayer, is typically of from about 0.25 to about 2 mm, preferably of fromabout 0.5 to about 1.25 mm, even more preferably from 0.5 to 1 mm.

As described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,623,378, filed Jun. 11, 2001,entitled “METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AND GOLF CLUB HEAD” and incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety, the crown or outer shell (or sole)may be made of a composite material, such as, for example, a carbonfiber reinforced epoxy, carbon fiber reinforced polymer, or a polymer.Furthermore, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/974,437 (now U.S. Pat.No. 8,608,591) describes golf club heads with lightweight crowns andsoles.

Composite materials used to construct the crown and/or sole shouldexhibit high strength and rigidity over a broad temperature range aswell as good wear and abrasion behavior and be resistant to stresscracking. Such properties include,

-   -   a) a Tensile Strength at room temperature of from about 7 ksi to        about 330 ksi, preferably of from about 8 ksi to about 305 ksi,        more preferably of from about 200 ksi to about 300 ksi, even        more preferably of from about 250 ksi to about 300 ksi (as        measured by ASTM D 638 and/or ASTM D 3039);    -   b) a Tensile Modulus at room temperature of from about 0.4 Msi        to about 23 Msi, preferably of from about 0.46 Msi to about 21        Msi, more preferably of from about 0.46 Msi to about 19 Msi (as        measured by ASTM D 638 and/or ASTM D 3039);    -   c) a Flexural Strength at room temperature of from about 13 ksi        to about 300 ksi, from about 14 ksi to about 290 ksi, more        preferably of from about 50 ksi to about 285 ksi, even more        preferably of from about 100 ksi to about 280 ksi (as measured        by ASTM D 790);    -   d) a Flexural Modulus at room temperature of from about 0.4 Msi        to about 21 Msi, from about 0.5 Msi to about 20 Msi, more        preferably of from about 10 Msi to about 19 Msi (as measured by        ASTM D 790);

Composite materials that are useful for making club-head componentscomprise a fiber portion and a resin portion. In general the resinportion serves as a “matrix” in which the fibers are embedded in adefined manner. In a composite for club-heads, the fiber portion isconfigured as multiple fibrous layers or plies that are impregnated withthe resin component. The fibers in each layer have a respectiveorientation, which is typically different from one layer to the next andprecisely controlled. The usual number of layers for a striking face issubstantial, e.g., forty or more. However for a sole or crown, thenumber of layers can be substantially decreased to, e.g., three or more,four or more, five or more, six or more, examples of which will beprovided below. During fabrication of the composite material, the layers(each comprising respectively oriented fibers impregnated in uncured orpartially cured resin; each such layer being called a “prepreg” layer)are placed superposedly in a “lay-up” manner. After forming the prepreglay-up, the resin is cured to a rigid condition. If interested aspecific strength may be calculated by dividing the tensile strength bythe density of the material. This is also known as thestrength-to-weight ratio or strength/weight ratio.

In tests involving certain club-head configurations, composite portionsformed of prepreg plies having a relatively low fiber areal weight (FAW)have been found to provide superior attributes in several areas, such asimpact resistance, durability, and overall club performance. (FAW is theweight of the fiber portion of a given quantity of prepreg, in units ofg/m².) FAW values below 100 g/m², and more desirably below 70 g/m², canbe particularly effective. A particularly suitable fibrous material foruse in making prepreg plies is carbon fiber, as noted. More than onefibrous material can be used. In other embodiments, however, prepregplies having FAW values below 70 g/m² and above 100 g/m² may be used.Generally, cost is the primary prohibitive factor in prepreg plieshaving FAW values below 70 g/m².

In particular embodiments, multiple low-FAW prepreg plies can be stackedand still have a relatively uniform distribution of fiber across thethickness of the stacked plies. In contrast, at comparable resin-content(R/C, in units of percent) levels, stacked plies of prepreg materialshaving a higher FAW tend to have more significant resin-rich regions,particularly at the interfaces of adjacent plies, than stacked plies oflow-FAW materials. Resin-rich regions tend to reduce the efficacy of thefiber reinforcement, particularly since the force resulting fromgolf-ball impact is generally transverse to the orientation of thefibers of the fiber reinforcement. The prepreg plies used to form thepanels desirably comprise carbon fibers impregnated with a suitableresin, such as epoxy. An example carbon fiber is “34-700” carbon fiber(available from Grafil, Sacramento, Calif.), having a tensile modulus of234 Gpa (34 Msi) and a tensile strength of 4500 Mpa (650 Ksi). AnotherGrafil fiber that can be used is “TR50S” carbon fiber, which has atensile modulus of 240 Gpa (35 Msi) and a tensile strength of 4900 Mpa(710 ksi). Suitable epoxy resins are types “301” and “350” (availablefrom Newport Adhesives and Composites, Irvine, Calif.). An exemplaryresin content (R/C) is between 33% and 40%, preferably between 35% and40%, more preferably between 36% and 38%.

Each of the golf club heads discussed throughout this application mayinclude a separate crown, sole, and/or face that may be a composite,such as, for example, a carbon fiber reinforced epoxy, carbon fiberreinforced polymer, or a polymer crown, sole and/or face.

In some embodiments, the CGx, CGy and CGz orientations of the golf clubhead may be adjustable. For example, in an embodiment, the golf clubhead is provided with one or more adjustable weight features, such asweight ports, tracks, and/or slots in conjunction with one or moreadjustable weights located in the weight port(s), track(s), and/orslot(s). For example, U.S. Pat. No. 9,868,036, which is incorporatedherein by reference, describes weight tracks with slidable weights foradjusting the CG orientations of the golf club head. Other adjustableweight features may be used to adjust the CG orientations.

In some embodiments, the CGx, CGy and CGz orientations of the golf clubhead are positioned in conjunction with the aerodynamic properties ofthe golf club head. In some implementations, aerodynamic drag forces onthe golf club head are reduced by the shape of the striking face. Forexample, aerodynamic drag forces can be reduced by providing a strikingface that is shorter along the positive x-axis 208 projecting toward theheel side of the club head and taller on the negative x-axis 208 isprojecting toward the toe side of the golf club head. In other words,the striking face may be provided with bulge oriented in the portion ofthe face in the negative x-axis. For example, as discussed below, thegolf club head may have a crown height to face height ratio of at least1.12. As a result of this configuration, more material and mass isprovided along the negative x-axis of the striking face than along thepositive x-axis, which may orient the CGx on the negative x-axis. Thisaerodynamic shape tends to move CGx toeward naturally.

In addition to the features described above, additional aerodynamicshapes are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,858,359 and 9,861,864. Forexample, various properties may be modified to improve the aerodynamicaspects of the golf club head. In various embodiments, the volume of thegolf club head may be 430 cc to 500 cc. In various embodiments, theremay be no inversions, indentations, or concave shaping elements on thecrown of the golf club head, and, as such, the crown remains convex overits body, although the curvature of the crown may be variable in variousembodiments.

For example, in an embodiment, the golf club head a face height of about59.1 mm and a crown height of about 69.4 mm. As can be seen, a ratio ofthe crown height to the face height is 69.4/59.1, or about 1.17. Inother embodiments, the golf club head may have a crown height to faceheight ratio of at least 1.12. Other crown height to face height ratiosmay be used. For example, a face height of about 58.7 mm may be providedin an embodiment. The corresponding crown height is about 69.4 mm in thecurrent embodiment. A ratio of the crown height to the face height is69.4/58.7, or about 1.18. Alternatively, a face height of about 58.7 mmmay be provided in another embodiment. The crown height is about 69.4 mmin the current embodiment. A ratio of the crown height to the faceheight is 69.4/58.7, or about 1.18. As such, the ratio of crown heightto face height may be between about 1 and about 2, depending on theembodiment.

In another example, the golf club head may have may have a minimumand/or a maximum face area. For example, the larger the face area, themore drag is produced (i.e., lowers aerodynamic features of the golfclub head. In addition to aerodynamic features, the minimum and/ormaximum face areas may be dictated by other golf club head properties,such as mass savings and ball speed benefits. Accordingly, in oneembodiment, the golf club head has a minimum face area of 3300 mm². Inother embodiments, the golf club head has a face area between about 3700mm² and about 4000 mm². In other embodiments, the golf club head has aface area between about 3500 mm² and about 4200 mm². In yet anotherembodiment, the golf club head has a maximum face area of about 4500mm². Other face areas may be used.

In some implementations, discretionary mass is strategically positionedat an angle with respect to the striking face 110, such as in the sameplane as the golf club head as the club is designed to travel on thedownswing. In some embodiments, the discretionary mass is strategicallyprovided low (along the negative z-axis), rearward (along the positivey-axis 209), and toeward (along the negative x-axis 208), orienting themass in the location where air is flowing, thereby reducing aerodynamicdrag forces and orienting CGx on the negative x-axis.

Examples of strategically positioned discretionary masses are describedin U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/755,319, which isincorporated herein by reference. For example, as illustrated in FIGS.12, 13, 14A, 15-19 , golf club head 300 comprises an inertia generator360, which may comprise an elongate center sole portion 362 that extendsin a generally Y-direction—though as illustrated, and as furtherdescribed below, is also angled toewardly—from a position proximate thegolf club head center of gravity 350 to the rear portion of the body.

In one or more embodiments, golf club head 300 includes a hollow body310 defining a crown portion 312, a sole portion 314, a skirt portion316, and a striking surface 318. The striking surface 318 can beintegrally formed with the body 310 or attached to the body. The body310 further includes a hosel 320, which defines a hosel bore 324 adaptedto receive a golf club shaft. The body 310 further includes a heelportion 326, a toe portion 328, a front portion 330, and a rear portion332. Included are a number of features that may improve playability,including at least an inertia generator 360, front channel 390, a slotor channel insert 395, one or more front channel support ribs 396, anadditional rib 397 that connects to front channel support ribs 396, aswell as composite panels on the sole 344, 348 and on the crown 335,along with discretionary mass elements and other additional features, aswill be further described herein. The front channel 390 may have acertain length L (which may be measured as the distance between itstoeward end and heelward end), width W (e.g., the measurement from aforward edge to a rearward edge of the front channel 390), and offsetdistance OS from the front end, or striking surface 318 (e.g., thedistance between the face 318 and the forward edge of front channel 390.During development, it was discovered that the COR feature length L andthe offset distance OS from the face play an important role in managingthe stress which impacts durability, the sound or first mode frequencyof the club head, and the COR value of the club head. All of theseparameters play an important role in the overall club head performanceand user perception.

A front plane 331 that extends from a forwardmost point of the golf clubhead, and a rear plane 333 that extends from a rearwardmost point of thegolf club head. Each of these planes extends from its respective pointand is perpendicular to the ground plane 317. Together, the planes maybe used to measure the front to back depth of the golf club head (“clubhead depth”), as illustrated in FIG. 12 . A midpoint plane 334 extendsperpendicular to the ground plane 317 halfway between the front plane331 and the rear plane 333. As illustrated in FIG. 13 , a center 323 isdisposed on the striking surface 318. Also shown on the face is theprojected CG point 325. Golf club head 300 also has a skirt height 315,which may measure the lowest point above the ground plane at which theskirt meets the crown. In some embodiments, the skirt height 315 may bebetween 25 mm and 40 mm, such as between 30 mm and 40 mm, or between 30mm and 35 mm.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 , the center sole portion 362comprises an elongate and substantially planar surface that is closer tothe ground plane 317 than the surrounding portions of the sole 314 thatare toeward and heelward of the inertia generator 360. In certainembodiments, the inertia generator 360 is angled so that a rear end ofthe inertia generator is toeward of a front end. An angle of the inertiagenerator relative to the y-axis may be in the range of 10 to 25degrees, such as between 15 and 25 degrees, such as between 17 and 22degrees. As illustrated in FIGS. 14A and 15 , an aperture 366 may beprovided within the center sole portion 362, which aperture may be usedfor introducing hot melt into the inner cavity of the golf club head.Also provided is an inertia generator support rib 368, which may runalong the inside of the golf club head under inertia generator 360. Across-section of the inertia generator may be taken along line 24-24.Inertia generator support rib 368 may not only help provide structuralsupport for the inertia generator, it may also help constrain any hotmelt that is injected using aperture 366.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 15 , the inertia generator furthercomprises a heelward sole surface 361 and a toeward sole surface 363that slope upwardly from the center sole portion 362 to the sole 314when viewed in the normal address position. The heelward sole surface361 may have a generally triangular shape, with: a base that facesgenerally forward and heelward (and may be substantially parallel to theheel sole insert 344, a first edge adjacent the center sole portion 362that extends rearwardly from the toeward end of the base generallyparallel to the center sole portion, and a second edge that extends fromthe heelward end of the base at a position on the sole 314 to a positionthat is “raised up” from the sole at or proximate to the heelward sideof the center sole portion 362 at the rear 332 of the golf club head.The toeward sole surface 363 may likewise have a generally triangularshape, with: a base that faces generally forward and toeward (and may besubstantially parallel to the toe sole insert 348, a first edge adjacentthe center sole portion 362 that extends rearwardly from the heelwardend of the base generally parallel to the center sole portion, and asecond edge that extends from the toeward end of the base at a positionon the sole 314 to a position that is “raised up” from the sole at orproximate to the toeward side of the center sole portion 362 at the rear332 of the golf club head. The inertia generator is configured so that acenter of gravity 365 may in certain embodiments be positioned toewardof the x axis and lower (or closer to the ground plane 317) than thez-axis. In other words, the inertia generator may help to move theclub's overall center of gravity 350 toeward, while also lowering itscenter of gravity, reducing Zup, as described above.

Example values for the inertia generator's center of gravity 365 are setforth below. In certain embodiments, the inertia generator may have acenter of gravity 365 relative to the center 323 of the striking surface318 as measured on the:

x-axis (CG_(x)) of between −10 mm and −25 mm, such as between −15 mm and−20 mm;

y-axis (CG_(y)) of between 80 and 110 mm, such as between 90 and 100 mm;and

z-axis (CG_(z)) of between 0 and −20 mm, such as between −10 mm and −20mm.

Additionally, due to its shape and orientation, the inertia generator isconfigured to generally align with a typical swing path, permittingincreased inertia generated during a golf swing. Example moments ofinertia for golf club head 300 are set forth below.

As best illustrated in FIG. 14A, the crown can be formed to have arecessed peripheral ledge or seat 338 to receive the crown insert 335,such that the crown insert is either flush with the adjacent surfaces ofthe body to provide a smooth seamless outer surface or, alternatively,slightly recessed below the body surfaces. The crown insert 335 maycover a large opening 340 (illustrated in FIG. 14A) at the top and rearof the body, forming part of the crown 312 of the golf club head. Heelsole insert 344 and toe sole insert 348 may be secured to the body 310to cover heel sole opening 342 and toe sole opening 346, respectively,in the sole rearward of the hosel (illustrated in FIG. 16 ). Heel soleopening 342 has a heel sole ledge 343 for supporting heel sole insert344. Similarly, toe sole opening 346 has a toe sole ledge 347 forsupporting toe sole insert 348. The golf club head may comprise aforward mass pad 380 positioned heelward and forward on the sole 314.

As best illustrated in FIG. 15 , a plurality of characteristic time(“CT”) tuning screws 375 may be inserted through apertures 374 in thestriking surface. Dampening material such as tuning foam 376 may beinserted through one or both of these apertures into the inner cavity394 of the golf club head 300 to adjust the characteristic time. Forexample, a dampening material may be added that, upon hardening, maylower the CT time. Additional details about providing tuning of thecharacteristic time are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/857,407, filed Dec. 28, 2017, the entire contents are herebyincorporated by reference herein.

Positioned on a rear side of the inertia generator 360 is inertiagenerator mass element 385, which may comprise a steel or tungstenweight member or other suitable material. Inertia generator mass element385 may be removably affixed to the rear of the inertia generator 360using a fastener port 386 that is positioned in the rear of the inertiagenerator 360 and configured to receive a fastener 388, which may beremovably inserted through an aperture 387 in the inertia generator masselement 385 and into the fastener port 386. Fastener port 386 andaperture 387 may be threaded so that fastener 388 can be loosened ortightened either to allow movement of, or to secure in position, inertiagenerator mass element 385. The fastener may comprise a head with whicha tool (not shown) may be used to tighten or loosen the fastener, and abody that may, e.g., be threaded to interact with corresponding threadson the fastener port 386 and aperture 387 to facilitate tightening orloosening the fastener 388.

The fastener port 386 can have any of a number of various configurationsto receive and/or retain any of a number of fasteners, which maycomprise simple threaded fasteners, such as described herein, or whichmay comprise removable weights or weight assemblies, such as describedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,773,360, 7,166,040, 7,452,285, 7,628,707, 7,186,190,7,591,738, 7,963,861, 7,621,823, 7,448,963, 7,568,985, 7,578,753,7,717,804, 7,717,805, 7,530,904, 7,540,811, 7,407,447, 7,632,194,7,846,041, 7,419,441, 7,713,142, 7,744,484, 7,223,180, 7,410,425 and7,410,426, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated byreference herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 17 , the golf club head's hosel 320 has a hoselbore 324 that may accommodate a shaft connection assembly 355 thatallows the shaft to be easily disconnected from the golf club head, andthat may provide the ability for the user to selectively adjust a and/orlie-angle of the golf club. The shaft connection assembly 355 maycomprise a shaft sleeve that can be mounted on the lower end portion ofa shaft (not pictured), as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,303,431. Arecessed port 378 is provided on the sole 314, and extends from the sole314 toward the hosel 320, and in particular the hosel bore 324. Thehosel bore 324 extends from the hosel 320 through the golf club head 310and opens within the recessed port 378 at the sole 314 of the golf clubhead 300. The hosel bore may contain threads that are configured tointeract with a fastener such as a screw. The golf club head isremovably attached to the shaft by shaft connection assembly 355 (whichis mounted to the lower end portion of a golf club shaft (not shown)) byinserting one end of the shaft connection assembly 355 into the hoselbore 324, and inserting a screw 379 (or other suitable fixation device)upwardly through the recessed port 378 in the sole 314 and, in theillustrated embodiment, tightening the screw 379 into a threaded openingof the shaft connection assembly 355, thereby securing the golf clubhead to the shaft sleeve 302. A screw capturing device, such as in theform of an O-ring or washer 381, can be placed on the shaft of the screw379 to retain the screw in place within the golf club head when thescrew is loosened to permit removal of the shaft from the golf clubhead.

Illustrated in FIG. 19 are dashed lines surrounding golf club head 300.Each of these dashed lines represents a fixed distance above a groundplane when golf club head 300 is in normal address position, so that across-section of the golf club head taken at one of the respective lineswould be positioned at a consistent height above the ground plane. Forexample, 10 mm cross-section line 302 represents the cross-section ofgolf club head 300 at a position 10 mm above the ground plane. In turn:

-   -   15 mm cross-section line 303 represents the cross-section of        golf club head 300 at a position 15 mm above the ground plane;    -   20 mm cross-section line 304 represents the cross-section of        golf club head 300 at a position 20 mm above the ground plane;    -   25 mm cross-section line 305 represents the cross-section of        golf club head 300 at a position 25 mm above the ground plane;    -   30 mm cross-section line 306 represents the cross-section of        golf club head 300 at a position 30 mm above the ground plane;    -   35 mm cross-section line 307 represents the cross-section of        golf club head 300 at a position 35 mm above the ground plane;        and    -   40 mm cross-section line 308 represents the cross-section of        golf club head 300 at a position 40 mm above the ground plane.

As discussed above, the CGx orientation of the golf club head may bemoved toeward (along the negative x-axis) or heelward (along thepositive x-axis) to provide to generate specific properties of the golfclub head, such as increasing MOI, increasing ball speed and reducing“gear effect.” However, orientating the CGx toeward may result in thestriking face of the golf club head remaining open at impact with thegolf ball. In this example, when the CGx is oriented along the negativex-axis, it may be more difficult for the user to square (e.g., release)the club head in the downswing, resulting in users hitting the ballright (i.e., a “slice” or “blocked” shot). Conversely, when theorientating the CGx heelward may result in the striking face of the golfclub head to be closed at impact with the golf ball. In this example,when the CGx is oriented along the positive x-axis, the club head mayrelease early, making it more difficult for the user to keep thestriking face from closing too quickly in the downswing, resulting inthe user hitting the ball left (i.e., a “hook” or “pulled” shot). Toovercome the missed shots resulting from the negative or positive CGxorientations, visual cues may be provided to offset the CGx orientation(i.e., altering the perceived angle of the face 110 for the user),allowing the user to hit the ball straighter with fewer misses.

As discussed above, in some embodiments, one or more features of thegolf club head may be provided to alter the perceived angle of the facefor the user. For example, referring back to FIG. 3 , the golf club head600 includes an alignment feature to alter the perceived angle of theface 110 for the user. In implementations with a negative CGxorientation, an alignment feature is provided to alter the perceived topline relative to striking face, with the perceived top line appearing tobe square while the actual face angle is closed relative to theperceived top line. By closing the actual face angle relative to theperceived top line, the user counteracts the miss right by closing theclub head in the downswing to square the striking face at impact withthe golf ball. Conversely, in implementations with a positive CGxorientation, a different alignment feature is provided to alter theperceived top line relative to striking face, with the perceived topline appearing to be square while the actual face angle is open relativeto the perceived top line. By opening the actual face angle relative tothe perceived top line, the user counteracts the miss left by openingthe club head in the downswing to square the striking face at impactwith the golf ball.

For example, the alignment feature may be provided as a contrastingpaint or shading of the crown 120 relative to the color or shading ofthe face 110. In this example, users tend to focus on the perceived topline produced by the contrasting paint, such as via white or anothercolor paint contrasting with the metal striking face, even when theactual face angle is visible to the user. The user tends to ignore theactual face angle when contrasting paint of shading is provided.Further, the alignment feature may also provide for unconsciouscorrection during the swing. Specifically, by perceiving the club to besquare when the actual face angle is closed or open relative to theperceived top line, the user will naturally and unconsciously attempt tosquare the perceived top line at impact with the golf ball, correctingfor the misses caused by the CGx orientation.

In some implementations, the alignment feature may alter the perceivedtop line from about 2 to about 4 degrees open or closed relative to theactual face angle. In some implementations, for each 5 percent change innegative or positive CGx orientation, the perceived top line is 1 degreeopen or closed, respectively, with respect to the actual face angle(i.e., opening or closing the perceived top line relative to the actualface angle), causing the user to close or open the actual face angle atthe address position. Depending on the golf club, each degree ofperceived top line change may affect lateral dispersion in a resultantshot by a set amount. For example, changing the perceived top line of adriver by one degree may reduce dispersion by approximately five yards.In another example, changing the perceived top line of a fairway wood byone degree may reduce dispersion by approximately three yards.

In some implementations, the alignment feature may be provided as aparabola defined relative to the striking face. For example, a point onparabola relative to the striking face is provided from about 2 to about4 degrees open or closed relative to the angle of the striking face.Depending on the golf club, the radius of the alignment feature mayaffect lateral dispersion in a resultant shot by a set amount. Forexample, changing the radius of the parabola defining the topline of adriver by one degree may reduce dispersion by approximately five yards.In another example, changing the radius of the parabola defining thetopline of a fairway wood by one degree may reduce dispersion byapproximately three yards.

In some embodiments, grooves and/or score lines of the golf club headmay be provided to alter the address position for the user, aligning theaddress position with the CG orientations. Referring back to FIG. 1B,grooves and/or score lines are located on the striking face 110,traditionally positioned at the center of face (CF) located at theorigin 205 of the coordinate system 200. Orientating the CGx along thepositive or negative x-axis, without moving scorelines from the CF, maycause the user to address the golf club head to the golf ball withoutaligning the CGx with the golf ball. If the user does not align the golfball with the CGx, the user may strike the golf ball at a location onthe striking face that does not correspond with the CGx location,decreasing ball speed and the accuracy of the golf shot. For example,for a positive CGx, striking the club at the CF does not correspond withthe positive CGx orientation. Further, if the user strikes the ball at alocation on the striking face corresponding to the positive CGx (i.e.,toewardly of the score lines provided at CF), the user may believe thatthe shot was mishit, resulting in the user misaligning future shots. Insome implementations, score lines and/or grooves are provided offsetfrom CF at a location on the striking face corresponding the CGx, CGyand CGz orientations. The score lines and grooves also serve as analignment aid at address. For example, in the example of a negative CGx,the score lines and/or grooves are positioned toewardly of CF toencourage the user to address and strike the ball more toewardly (i.e.,aligned with the negative CGx). In this example, the score lines and/orgrooves are positioned toeward of a geometric center of the face. Thus,the score lines and/or grooves are aligned for maximum performance(i.e., maximum ball speed, reducing gear effect, reducing dispersion,and the like).

Further, golf club designs are provided to counteract the left and righttendency that a player encounters when the ball impacts a high, low,heelward and/or toeward position on the club head striking face. Onesuch golf club design incorporates a “twisted” bulge and roll contour,such as discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,814,944 and 10,265,586 and U.S.Patent Pub. No. 2019/0076705, which are incorporated herein by referencein their entireties.

FIG. 20 a illustrates a plurality of vertical planes 402,404,406 andhorizontal planes 408,410,412. More specifically, the toe side verticalplane 402, center vertical plane 404 (passing through center face), andheel vertical plane 406 are separated by a distance of 30 mm as measuredfrom the center face location 414. The upper horizontal plane 408, thecenter horizontal plane 410 (passing through center face 414), and thelower horizontal plane 412 are spaced from each other by 15 mm asmeasured from the center face location 414.

FIG. 20 b illustrates all three striking face surface roll contours A,B, C that are overlaid on top of one another as viewed from the heelside of the golf club. The three face surface contours are defined asface contours that intersect the three vertical planes 402,404, 406.Specifically, toe side contour A, represented by a dashed line, isdefined by the intersection of the striking face surface and verticalplane 402 located on the toe side of the striking face. Center facevertical contour B, represented by a solid line, is defined by theintersection of the striking face surface and center face vertical plane404 located at the center of the striking face. Heel side contour C,represented by a finely dashed line, is defined by the intersection ofthe striking face surface a vertical plane 406 located on the heel sideof the striking face. Roll contours A, B, C are considered threedifferent roll contours across the striking face taken at threedifferent locations to show the variability of roll across the face. Thetoe side vertical contour A is more lofted (having positive LA°Δ)relative to the center face vertical contour B. The heel side verticalcontour C is less lofted (having a negative LA°Δ) relative to the centerface vertical contour B.

FIG. 20 b shows a loft angle change 434 that is measured between acenter face vector 416 located at the center face 414 and the toe sideroll curvature A having a face angle vector 432. The vertical pindistance of 12.7 mm is measured along the toe side roll curvature A froma center location to a crown side and a sole side to locate a crown sidemeasurement 430 point and sole side measurement points 428. A segmentline 436 connects the two points of measurement. A loft angle vector 432is perpendicular to the segment line 436. The loft angle vector 432creates a loft angle 434 with the center face vector 416 located at thecenter face point 414. As described, a more lofted angle indicates thatthe loft angle change (LA°Δ) is positive relative to the center facevector 416 and points above or higher relative to the center face vector416 as is the case for the roll curvature A.

FIG. 20 c further illustrates three striking face surface bulge contoursD, E, F that are overlaid on top of one another as viewed from the crownside of the golf club. The three face surface contours are defined asface contours that intersect the three horizontal planes 408,410, 412.Specifically, crown side contour D, represented by a dashed line, isdefined by the intersection of the striking face surface and upperhorizontal plane 408 located on the upper side of the striking facetoward the crown portion. Center face contour E, represented by a solidline, is defined by the intersection of the striking face surface andhorizontal plane 408 located at the center of the striking face. Soleside contour F, represented by a finely dashed line, is defined by theintersection of the striking face surface a horizontal plane 412 locatedon the lower side of the striking face. Bulge contours D, E, F areconsidered three different bulge contours across the striking face takenat three different locations to show the variability of bulge across theface. The crown side bulge contour D is more open (having a positiveFA°Δ, defined below) when compared to the center face bulge contour E.The sole side bulge contour F is more closed (having a negative FA°Δwhen measured about the center vertical plane).

With the type of “twisted” bulge and roll contour defined above, a ballthat is struck in the upper portion of the face will be influenced byhorizontal contour D. A typical shot having an impact in the upperportion of a club face will influence the golf ball to land left of theintended target. However, when a ball impacts the “twisted” face contourdescribed above, horizontal contour D provides a general curvature thatpoints to the right to counter the left tendency of a typical upper faceshot.

Likewise, a typical shot having an impact location on the lower portionof the club face will land typically land to the right of the intendedtarget. However, when a ball impacts the “twisted” face contourdescribed above, horizontal contour F provides a general curvature thatpoints to the left to counter the right tendency of a typical lower faceshot. It is understood that the contours illustrated in FIGS. 20 b and20 c are severely distorted in order for explanation purposes.

In order to determine whether a 2-D contour, such as A, B, C, D, E, orF, is pointing left, right, up, or down, two measurement points alongthe contour can be located 18.25 mm from a center location or 36.5 mmfrom each other. A first imaginary line can be drawn between the twomeasurement points. Finally, a second imaginary line perpendicular tothe first imaginary line can be drawn. The angle between the secondimaginary line of a contour relative to a line perpendicular to thecenter face location provides an indication of how open or closed acontour is relative to a center face contour. Of course, the abovemethod can be implemented in measuring the direction of a localizedcurvature provided in a CAD software platform in a 3D or 2D model,having a similar outcome. Alternatively, the striking surface of anactual golf club can be laser scanned or profiled to retrieve the 2D or3D contour before implementing the above measurement method. Examples oflaser scanning devices that may be used are the GOM Atos Core 185 or theFaro Edge Scan Arm HD. In the event that the laser scanning or CADmethods are not available or unreliable, the face angle and the loft ofa specific point can be measured using a “black gauge” made by GolfInstruments Co. located in Oceanside, Calif. An example of the type ofgauge that can be used is the M-310 or the digital-manual combinationC-510 which provides a block with four pins for centering about adesired measurement point. The horizontal distance between pins is 36.5mm while the vertical distance between the pins is 12.7 mm.

When an operator is measuring a golf club with a black gauge for loft ata desired measurement point, two vertical pins (out of the four) areused to measure the loft about the desired point that is equidistantbetween the two vertical pins that locate two vertical points. Whenmeasuring a golf club with a black gauge for face angle at a desiredmeasurement point, two horizontal pins (out of the four) are used tomeasure the face angle about the desired point. The desired point isequidistant between the two horizontal points located by the pins whenmeasuring face angle.

FIG. 20 c shows a face angle 420 that is measured between a center facevector 416 located at the center face 414 and the crown side bulgecurvature D having a face angle vector 418. The horizontal pin distanceof 18.25 mm is measured along the crown side bulge curvature D from acenter location to a heel side and a toe side to locate a heel sidemeasurement 426 point and toe side measurement points 424. A segmentline 422 connects the two points of measurement. A face angle vector 418is perpendicular to the segment line 422. The face angle vector 418creates a face angle 420 with the center face vector 416 located at thecenter face point 414. As described, an open face angle indicates thatthe face angle change (FA°Δ) is positive relative to the center facevector 416 and points to the right as is the case for the bulgecurvature D.

FIG. 21 shows a desired measurement point Q0 located at the center ofthe striking face 500. A horizontal plane 522 and a vertical plane 502intersect at the desired measurement point Q0 and divide the strikingface 500 into four quadrants. The upper toe quadrant 514, the upper heelquadrant 518, the lower heel quadrant 520, and the lower toe quadrant516 all form the striking face 500, collectively. In one embodiment, theupper toe quadrant 514 is more “open” than all the other quadrants. Inother words, the upper toe quadrant 514 has a face angle pointing to theright, in the aggregate. In other words, if a plurality of evenly spacedpoints (for example a grid with measurement points being spaced from oneanother by 5 mm) covering the entire upper toe quadrant 514 weremeasured, it would have an average face angle that points right of theintended target more than any other quadrant.

The term “open” is defined as having a face angle generally pointing tothe right of an intended target at address, while the term “closed” isdefined as having a face angle generally pointing to the left of anintended target ad address. In one embodiment, the lower heel quadrant520 is more “closed” than all the other quadrants, meaning it has a faceangle, in the aggregate, that is pointing more left than any of theother quadrants.

If the edge of the striking surface 500 is not visually clear, the edgeof the striking face 500 is defined as a point at which the strikingsurface radius becomes less than 127 mm. If the radius is not easilycomputed within a computer modeling program, three points that are 0.1mm apart can be used as the three points used for determining thestriking surface radius. A series of points will define the outerperimeter of the striking face 500. Alternatively, if a radius is noteasily obtainable in a computer model, a 127 mm curvature gauge can beused to detect the edge of the face of an actual golf club head. Thecurvature gauge would be rotated about a center face point to determinethe face edge.

In one illustrative example in FIG. 21 , the face angle and loft aremeasured for a center face point Q0 when an easily measureable computermodel method is not available, for example, when an actual golf clubhead is measured. A black gauge is utilized to measure the face angle byselecting two horizontal points 506,508 along the horizontal plane 522that are 36.5 mm apart and centered about the center face point Q0 sothat the horizontal points 506,508 are equidistant from the center facepoint Q0. The two pins from the black gauge engage these two points andprovide a face angle measurement reading on the angle measurementreadout provided. Furthermore, a loft is measured about the Q0 point byselecting two vertical points 512,510 that are spaced by a verticaldistance of 12.7 mm apart from each other. The two vertical pins fromthe black gauge engage these two vertical points 512,510 and provide aloft angle measurement reading on the readout provided.

The positive x-axis 522 for face point measurements extends from thecenter face toward the heel side and is tangent to the center face. Thepositive z-axis 502 for face point measurements extends from the centerface toward the crown of the club head and is tangent to the centerface. The x-z coordinate system at center face, without a loftcomponent, is utilized to locate the plurality of points P0-P36 andQ0-Q8, as described below. The positive y-axis 504 extends from the facecenter and is perpendicular to the face center point and away from theinternal volume of the club head. The positive y-axis 504 and positivez-axis 502 will be utilized as a reference axis when the face angle andloft angle are measured at another y-z coordinate location, other thancenter face.

FIG. 21 further shows two critical points Q3 and Q6 located atcoordinates (0 mm, 15 mm) and (0 mm,−15 mm), respectively. As usedherein, the terms “1° twist” and “2° twist” are defined as the totalface angle change between these two critical point locations at Q3 andQ6. For example, a “1° twist” would indicate that the Q3 point has a0.5° twist relative to the center face, Q0, and the Q6 point has a −0.5°twist relative to the center face, Q0. Therefore, the total degree oftwist as an absolute value between the critical points Q3, Q6 is 1°,hence the nomenclature “1° twist”.

To further the understanding of what is meant by a “twisted face”, FIG.22 a provides an isometric view of an over-exaggerated twisted strikingsurface plane 614 of “10° twist” to illustrate the concept as applied toa golf club striking face. Each point located on the golf club face hasan associated loft angle change (defined as “LA°Δ”) and face anglechange (defined as “FA°Δ”). Each point has an associated loft anglechange (defined as “LA°Δ”) and face angle change (defined as “FA°Δ”).

FIG. 22 a shows the center face point, Q0, and the two critical pointsQ3, Q6 described above, and a positive x-axis 600, positive z-axis 604,and positive y-axis 602 located on a twisted plane in an isometric view.The center face has a perpendicular axis 604 that passes through thecenter face point Q0 and is perpendicular to the twisted plane 614.Likewise, the critical points Q3 and Q6 also have a reference axis 610,612 which is parallel to the center face perpendicular axis 604. Thereference axes 610, 612 are utilized to measure a relative face anglechange and loft angle change at these critical point locations. Thecritical points Q3, Q6 each have a perpendicular axis 608, 606 that isperpendicular to the face. Thus, the face angle change is defined at thecritical points as the change in face angle between the reference axis610,612 and the relative perpendicular axis 608, 606.

FIG. 22 b shows a top view of the twisted plane 614 and furtherillustrates how the face angle change is measured between theperpendicular axes 608, 606 at the critical points and the referenceaxes 610, 612 that are parallel with the center face perpendicular axis604. A positive face angle change +FA°Δ indicates a perpendicular axisat a measured point that points to the right of the relative referenceaxis. A negative face angle change −FA°Δ indicates a perpendicular axisthat points to the left of the relative reference axis. The face anglechange is measured within the plane created by the positive x-axis 600and positive z-axis 604.

FIG. 22 c shows a heel side view of a twisted plane 614 and the loftangle change between the perpendicular axes 608,606 and the referenceaxes 610,612 at the critical point locations. A positive loft anglechange +LA°Δ indicates a perpendicular axis at a measured point thatpoints above the relative reference axis. A negative loft angle change−LA°Δ indicates a perpendicular axis that points below the relativereference axis. The loft angle is measured within the plane created bythe positive z-axis 604 and positive y-axis 602 for a given measuredpoint.

FIG. 23 shows an additional plurality of points Q0-Q8 that are spacedapart across the striking face in a grid pattern. In addition to thecritical points Q3, Q6 described above, heel side points Q5, Q2, Q8 arespaced 30 mm away from a vertical axis 700 passing through the centerface. Toe side points Q4, Q1, Q7 are spaced 30 mm away from the verticalaxis 700 passing through the center face. Crown side points Q3, Q4, Q5are spaced 15 mm away from a horizontal axis 702 passing through thecenter face. Sole side points Q6, Q7, Q8 are spaced 15 mm away from thehorizontal axis 702. Point Q5 is located in an upper heel quadrant at acoordinate location (30 mm, 15 mm) while point Q7 is located in a lowertoe quadrant at a coordinate location (−30 mm, −15 mm). Point Q4 islocated in an upper toe quadrant at a coordinate location (−30 mm, 15mm) while point Q8 is located in a lower heel quadrant at a coordinatelocation (30 mm, −15 mm).

It is understood that many degrees of twist are contemplated and theembodiments described are not limiting. For example, a golf club havinga “0.25° twist”, “0.75° twist”, “1.25° twist”, “1.5° twist”, “1.75°twist”, “2.25° twist”, “2.5° twist”, “2.75° twist, “3° twist”, “3.25°twist”, “3.5° twist”, “3.75° twist”, “4.25° twist”, “4.5° twist”, “4.75°twist”, “5° twist”, “5.25° twist”, “5.5° twist”, “5.75° twist”, “6°twist”, “6.25° twist”, “6.5° twist”, “6.75° twist”, “7° twist”, “7.25°twist”, “7.5° twist”, “7.75° twist”, “8° twist”, “8.25° twist”, “8.5°twist”, “8.75° twist”, “9° twist”, “9.25° twist”, “9.5° twist”, “9.75°twist”, and “10° twist” are considered other possible embodiments of thepresent invention. A golf club having a degree of twist greater than 0°,between 0.25° and 5°, between 0.1° and 5°, between 0° and 5°, between 0°and 10°, or between 0° and 20° are contemplated herein.

Utilizing the grid pattern of FIG. 23 , a plurality of embodimentshaving a nominal center face loft angle of 9.5°, a bulge of 330.2 mm,and a roll of 279.4 mm were analyzed having a “0.5° twist”, “1° twist”,“2° twist”, and “4° twist”. A comparison club having “0° twist” isprovided for reference in contrast to the embodiments described.

For example, if a head has a bulge radius (Bulge), and roll radius(Roll), it is possible to define two bounding surfaces for the desiredtwisted face surface by specifying two different twist amounts (DEG). Inan embodiment, the striking face has a bulge radius between 228.6 mm and355.6 mm. In another embodiment, the striking face has a bulge radiusbetween 228.6 mm and 330.2 mm. Additional and different bulge radii maybe used.

Table 1 shows the LA°Δ and FA°Δ relative to center face for pointslocated along the vertical axis 700 and horizontal axis 702 (for examplepoints Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q6). With regard to points located away from thevertical axis 700 and horizontal axis 702, the LA°Δ and FA°Δ aremeasured relative to a corresponding point located on the vertical axis700 and horizontal axis 702, respectively.

For example, regarding point Q4, located in the upper toe quadrant ofthe golf club head at a coordinate of (−30 mm, 15 mm), the LA°Δ ismeasured relative to point Q3 having the same vertical axis 700coordinate at (0 mm, 15 mm). In other words, both Q3 and Q4 have thesame y-coordinate location of 15 mm. Referring to Table 1, the LA°Δ ofpoint Q4 is 0.4° with respect to the loft angle at point Q3. The LA°Δ ofpoint Q4 is measured with respect to point Q3 which is located in acorresponding upper toe horizontal band 704.

In addition, regarding point Q4, located in the upper toe quadrant ofthe golf club head at a coordinate of (−30 mm, 15 mm), the FA°Δ ismeasured relative to point Q1 having the same horizontal axis 702coordinate at (−30 mm, 0 mm). In other words, both Q1 and Q4 have thesame x-coordinate location of −30 mm. Referring to Table 1, the FA°Δ ofpoint Q4 is 0.2° with respect to the face angle at point Q1. The FA°Δ ofpoint Q4 is measured with respect to point Q1 which is located in acorresponding upper toe vertical band 706.

To further illustrate how LA°Δ and FA°Δ are calculated for pointslocated within a quadrant that are away from a vertical or horizontalaxis, the LA°Δ of point Q8 is measured relative to a loft angle locatedat point Q6 within a lower heel quadrant horizontal band 708. Likewise,the FA°Δ of point Q8 is measured relative to a face angle located atpoint Q2 within a lower heel quadrant vertical band 710.

In summary, the LA°Δ and FA°Δ for all points that are located alongeither a horizontal 702 or vertical axis 700 are measured relative tocenter face Q0. For points located within a quadrant (such as points Q4,Q5, Q7, and Q8) the LA°Δ is measured with respect to a correspondingpoint located in a corresponding horizontal band, and the FA°Δ of agiven point is measured with respect to a corresponding point located ina corresponding vertical band. In FIG. 23 , not all bands are shown inthe drawing for the improved clarity of the drawing.

The reason that points located within a quadrant have a differentprocedure for measuring LA°Δ and FA°Δ is that this method eliminates anyinfluence of the bulge and roll curvature on the LA°Δ and FA°Δ numberswithin a quadrant. Otherwise, if a point located within a quadrant ismeasured with respect to center face, the LA°Δ and FA°Δ numbers will bedependent on the bulge and roll curvature. Therefore utilizing thehorizontal and vertical band method of measuring LA°Δ and FA°Δ within aquadrant eliminates any undue influence of a specific bulge and rollcurvature. Thus the LA°Δ and FA°Δ numbers within a quadrant should beapplicable across any range of bulge and roll curvatures in any givenhead. The above described method of measuring LA°Δ and FA°Δ within aquadrant has been applied to all examples herein.

The relative LA°Δ and FA°Δ can be applied to any lofted driver, such asa 9.5°, 10.5°, 12° lofted clubs or other commonly used loft angles suchas for drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, or putters.

TABLE 1 Relative to Center Face and Bands Example 1 Example 2 Example 3Example 4 X-axis Y-Axis 0.5° twist 1° twist 2° twist 4° twist 0° twistPoint (mm) (mm) LA° Δ FA°Δ LA°Δ FA°Δ LA°Δ FA°Δ LA°Δ FA°Δ LA°Δ FA°Δ Q0 00 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Q1 −30 0 0.5 5.7 1 5.7 2 5.6 4 5.6 0 5.7 Q2 30 0−0.5 −5.7 −1 −5.7 −2 −5.6 −4 −5.6 0 −5.7 Q3 0 15 3.4 0.25 3.4 0.5 3.4 13.4 2 3.4 0 Q4 −30 15 0.4 0.2 0.9 0.4 1.9 1 3.9 2 0 0 Q5 30 15 −0.5 0.3−1 0.5 −2 0.9 −4 1.9 0 0 Q6 0 −15 −3.4 −0.25 −3.4 −0.5 −3.4 −1 −3.4 −2−3.4 0 Q7 −30 −15 0.5 −0.3 1 −0.5 2 −0.9 4 −2 0 0 Q8 30 −15 −0.5 −0.2 −1−0.4 −2 −1 −4.1 −2 0 0

In some implementations, a “twisted” bulge and roll contour of thestriking face of the golf club head may alter the perceived angle of theface for the user. For example, referring back to FIG. 21 , the uppertoe quadrant 514 is more “open” than all the other quadrants of thestriking face, resulting in the perceived angle of the face to appearopen to the user at address. The perceived angle of the face resultingfrom the “twisted” bulge and roll contour of the striking face may causemisalignment by the user at addresses, such as setting up the actualface angle of the club closed with respect to the intended target line,resulting in the user hitting the ball left (i.e., a “hook” or “pulled”shot). Further, the perceived angle of the face resulting from the“twisted” bulge and roll contour may be aesthetically unpleasing to theuser, with a square striking face appearing open at address. To correctfor the perceived angle of the face resulting from the “twisted” bulgeand roll contour, an alignment feature is provided to alter theperceived top line relative to striking face.

In some embodiments, an alignment feature is provided to alter theperceived angle of the face for the user to appear closed with respectto the upper toe quadrant 514 of the striking face. In otherembodiments, an alignment feature is provided to alter the perceivedangle of the face for the user to appear closed with respect to theactual face angle. In the aforementioned embodiments, the alignmentfeature counteracts the open appearance of “twisted” bulge and rollcontour. In some embodiments, the alignment feature may be provided as acontrasting paint or shading of the crown 120 relative to the color orshading of the face 110. In some embodiments, the contrasting paint orshading extends from the crown 120 onto the face 110. In someimplementations, a negative CGx is provided along with a “twisted” bulgeand roll contour on the striking face. In some implementations, thenegative CGx counteracts some of the alignment issues caused by the“twisted” bulge contour, and vice versa. For example, the “twisted”bulge and roll contour on the striking face may be combined with one ormore adjustable weights and/or a discretionary mass strategicallypositioned at an angle with respect to the striking face. Othercombinations of the present embodiments may be provided.

In an embodiment, an alignment feature is provided to alter theperceived angle of the face of a golf club head with a “twisted” bulgeand roll contour on the striking face. In this embodiment, theperformance of the golf club had can be improved by decreasing lateraldispersion of the golf club head. For example, in the case of aright-handed golfer, lateral dispersion is measured indicating that thegolf club has a dispersion tendency for a right miss. The right miss maybe the result of the “twisted” bulge and roll contour causing theperceived angle of the face of the golf club head to appear open. Thealignment feature may be altered to counteract for the right miss, suchas by altering the perceived face angle to appear closed with respect tothe closed with respect to the actual face angle. The amount that thealignment feature may be altered may be based on the amount of thelateral dispersion, such as by altering the alignment feature about 1degree with respect to the intended target line for about every 3-5yards of lateral dispersion from the intended target line. In the caseof a left-handed golfer, if the lateral dispersion is measuredindicating that the golf club has a dispersion tendency for a left miss,the alignment feature may be altered to counteract for the left miss byaltering the perceived face angle to appear closed with respect to theclosed with respect to the actual face angle.

In another embodiment, a different alignment feature is provided toalter the perceived angle of the face of a golf club head with a“twisted” bulge and roll contour on the striking face. In thisembodiment, the performance of the golf club had can also be improved bydecreasing lateral dispersion of the golf club head. For example, in thecase of a right-handed golfer, lateral dispersion is measured indicatingthat the golf club has a dispersion tendency for a left miss. The leftmiss may be the result of the “twisted” bulge and roll contour causingthe perceived angle of the face of the golf club head to appear closed.The alignment feature may be altered to counteract for the left miss,such as by altering the perceived face angle to appear open with respectto the closed with respect to the actual face angle. The amount that thealignment feature may be altered may be based on the amount of thelateral dispersion, such as by altering the alignment feature about 1degree with respect to the intended target line for about every 3-5yards of lateral dispersion from the intended target line. In the caseof a left-handed golfer, if the lateral dispersion is measuredindicating that the golf club has a dispersion tendency for a rightmiss, the alignment feature may be altered to counteract for the rightmiss by altering the perceived face angle to appear closed with respectto the closed with respect to the actual face angle.

In an embodiment, a method 2400 is provided for determining an alignmentfeature for a golf club head, such as in a head with a negative CGx, a“twisted” bulge and roll, or another design. This method may beperformed using one or more of the golf club head embodiments discussedabove.

At 2410, a golf club head is provided with an alignment feature. In anembodiment, the golf club head is a new design to be tested prior tolarge scale manufacturing. In this embodiment, the golf club head mayhave one or more alignment features. The one or more alignment featuresmay be based on previous designs, such as retained topline propertiesfrom a previous design, or may a new alignment feature, such as based ona computer aided design (CAD) model or another club head design. Forexample, the golf club head may have undergone a complete remodel, suchas incorporating a substantial golf club head shape change, or may havebeen slightly redesigned based on a previous golf club head design. Inanother embodiment, The golf club head may have only minor differencesfrom another golf club head design, such as a different loft that mayresult in differences between golf club head designs.

At 2420, the alignment feature is measured. For example, in anembodiment using a top line as an alignment feature, a top line radiusis measured. Other alignment features may be measured. Additionally oralternatively, a Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle (SAPFA) or othermetric of the golf club head may also be measured.

At 2430, the golf club head is tested. For example, a prototype of thenew golf club head design are provided for player testing. In thisexample, one or more players may test the golf club head. Based on thetesting, a lateral dispersion of the golf club head may be measured.Other performance metrics may also be measured. Lateral dispersion maybe indicative that a different alignment feature may provide betterperformance, such as less lateral dispersion. In another example, animpression of the alignment feature on the user may also be measured. Inthis example, if the golf club head face appears too open or too closedduring the test, a different alignment feature may improve appeal orconfidence in the golf club head to the testers.

At 2440, the alignment feature is adjusted. For example, based on thetesting, the one or more alignment features may be adjusted to increaseperformance and/or appeal of the golf club head. In this example, a topline radius may be adjusted. Based on the lateral dispersion measuredduring testing, a top line radius may be adjusted one degree for everyfive yards of lateral dispersion with a driver and adjusted one degreefor every three yards of lateral dispersion with a fairway wood. Otheradjustment amounts may be provided. Further, additional and differentadjustments to the one or more alignment features may be provided.

After the alignment feature is adjusted, one or more of acts 2430 and2440 may be repeated for additional testing and/or adjustment. In someembodiments, individual player testing may also be performed, such asfor individual tour players. At 2450, the adjusted alignment feature isprovided for manufacturing. For example, after testing and adjusting oneor more alignment features, the golf club head design is manufactured.

Discretionary mass generally refers to the mass of material that can beremoved from various structures providing mass that can be distributedelsewhere for tuning one or more mass moments of inertia and/or locatingthe golf club head center-of-gravity. Golf club head walls provide onesource of discretionary mass. In other words, a reduction in wallthickness reduces the wall mass and provides mass that can bedistributed elsewhere. Thin walls, particularly a thin crown, providesignificant discretionary mass compared to conventional golf club heads.

For example, a golf club head made from an alloy of steel can achieveabout 4 grams of discretionary mass for each 0.1 mm reduction in averagecrown thickness. Similarly, a golf club head made from an alloy oftitanium can achieve about 2.5 grams of discretionary mass for each 0.1mm reduction in average crown thickness. Discretionary mass achievedusing a thin crown, e.g., less than about 0.65 mm, can be used to tuneone or more mass moments of inertia and/or center-of-gravity location.

To achieve a thin wall on a golf club head body, such as a thin crown, agolf club head body can be formed from an alloy of steel or an alloy oftitanium.

Some examples of titanium alloys that can be used to form any of thestriking faces and/or club heads described herein can comprise titanium,aluminum, molybdenum, chromium, vanadium, and/or iron. For example, inone representative embodiment the alloy may be an alpha-beta titaniumalloy comprising 6.5% to 10% Al by weight, 0.5% to 3.25% Mo by weight,1.0% to 3.0% Cr by weight, 0.25% to 1.75% V by weight, and/or 0.25% to1% Fe by weight, with the balance comprising Ti (one example issometimes referred to as “1300” titanium alloy).

In another representative embodiment, the alloy may comprise 6.75% to9.75% Al by weight, 0.75% to 3.25% or 2.75% Mo by weight, 1.0% to 3.0%Cr by weight, 0.25% to 1.75% V by weight, and/or 0.25% to 1% Fe byweight, with the balance comprising Ti.

In another representative embodiment, the alloy may comprise 7% to 9% Alby weight, 1.75% to 3.25% Mo by weight, 1.25% to 2.75% Cr by weight,0.5% to 1.5% V by weight, and/or 0.25% to 0.75% Fe by weight, with thebalance comprising Ti.

In another representative embodiment, the alloy may comprise 7.5% to8.5% Al by weight, 2.0% to 3.0% Mo by weight, 1.5% to 2.5% Cr by weight,0.75% to 1.25% V by weight, and/or 0.375% to 0.625% Fe by weight, withthe balance comprising Ti.

In another representative embodiment, the alloy may comprise 8% Al byweight, 2.5% Mo by weight, 2% Cr by weight, 1% V by weight, and/or 0.5%Fe by weight, with the balance comprising Ti. Such titanium alloys canhave the formula Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe. As used herein, reference to“Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe” refers to a titanium alloy including thereferenced elements in any of the proportions given above. Certainembodiments may also comprise trace quantities of K, Mn, and/or Zr,and/or various impurities.

Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe can have minimum mechanical properties of 1150MPa yield strength, 1180 MPa ultimate tensile strength, and 8%elongation. These minimum properties can be significantly superior toother cast titanium alloys, including 6-4 Ti and 9-1-1 Ti, which canhave the minimum mechanical properties noted above. In some embodiments,Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe can have a tensile strength of from about 1180MPa to about 1460 MPa, a yield strength of from about 1150 MPa to about1415 MPa, an elongation of from about 8% to about 12%, a modulus ofelasticity of about 110 GPa, a density of about 4.45 g/cm³, and ahardness of about 43 on the Rockwell C scale (43 HRC). In particularembodiments, the Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe alloy can have a tensilestrength of about 1320 MPa, a yield strength of about 1284 MPa, and anelongation of about 10%.

In some embodiments, striking faces and/or club head bodies can be castfrom Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe. In some embodiments, striking surfacesand club head bodies can be integrally formed or cast together fromTi-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe, depending upon the particular characteristicsdesired.

The mechanical parameters of Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe given above canprovide surprisingly superior performance compared to other existingtitanium alloys. For example, due to the relatively high tensilestrength of Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Fe, cast striking faces comprisingthis alloy can exhibit less deflection per unit thickness compared toother alloys when striking a golf ball. This can be especiallybeneficial for metalwood-type clubs configured for striking a ball athigh speed, as the higher tensile strength of Ti-8Al-2.5Mo-2Cr-1V-0.5Feresults in less deflection of the striking face, and reduces thetendency of the striking face to flatten with repeated use. This allowsthe striking face to retain its original bulge, roll, and “twist”dimensions over prolonged use, including by advanced and/or professionalgolfers who tend to strike the ball at particularly high clubvelocities.

For further details concerning titanium casting, please refer to U.S.Pat. No. 7,513,296, incorporated herein by reference.

Additionally, the thickness of a club hosel may be varied to provide foradditional discretionary mass, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,731,176,the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

In addition to the alignment features described herein, the golf clubheads of the present invention may also incorporate additional, suchfeatures including but not limited to:

-   -   1. movable weight features including those described in more        detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,773,360, 7,166,040, 7,452,285,        7,628,707, 7,186,190, 7,591,738, 7,963,861, 7,621,823,        7,448,963, 7,568,985, 7,578,753, 7,717,804, 7,717,805,        7,530,904, 7,540,811, 7,407,447, 7,632,194, 7,846,041,        7,419,441, 7,713,142, 7,744,484, 7,223,180, 7,410,425 and        7,410,426, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated        by reference in their entirety herein;    -   2. slidable weight features including those described in more        detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,775,905 and 8,444,505, U.S. patent        application Ser. No. 13/898,313 filed on May 20, 2013, U.S.        patent application Ser. No. 14/047,880 filed on Oct. 7, 2013,        the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by        reference herein in their entirety;    -   3. aerodynamic shape features including those described in more        detail in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0123040A1, the entire        contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their        entirety;    -   4. removable shaft features including those described in more        detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,303,431, the contents of which are        incorporated by reference herein in in their entirety;    -   5. adjustable loft/lie features including those described in        more detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,025,587, 8,235,831, 8,337,319,        U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0312437A1, U.S. Patent        Publication No. 2012/0258818A1, U.S. Patent Publication No.        2012/0122601A1, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0071264A1, U.S.        patent application Ser. No. 13/686,677, the entire contents of        which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety;        and    -   6. adjustable sole features including those described in more        detail in U.S. Pat. No. 8,337,319, U.S. Patent Publication Nos.        US2011/0152000A1, US2011/0312437, US2012/0122601A1, and U.S.        patent application Ser. No. 13/686,677, the entire contents of        each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their        entirety.

The designs, embodiments and features described herein may also becombined with other features and technologies in the club-headincluding:

-   -   1. variable thickness face features described in more detail in        U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/006,060, U.S. Pat. Nos.        6,997,820, 6,800,038, and 6,824,475, which are incorporated        herein by reference in their entirety;    -   2. composite face plate features described in more detail in        U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 11/998,435, 11/642,310,        11/825,138, 11/823,638, 12/004,386, 12/004,387, 11/960,609,        11/960,610 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,267,620, which are herein        incorporated by reference in their entirety;

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments donot include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, suchconditional language is not generally intended to imply that features,elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particularembodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any processdescriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood asrepresenting modules, segments, or portions of code which include one ormore executable instructions for implementing specific logical functionsor steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included inwhich functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executedout of order from that shown or discussed, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the artof the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be madeto the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantiallyfrom the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, thescope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and allcombinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspectsdiscussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and allpossible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements orsteps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A golf club head comprising: a golf club body having a face, a crown and a sole together defining an interior cavity, the golf club body including a heel portion and a toe portion and having an x, y and z axes which are orthogonal to each other having their origin at USGA center face, wherein the golf club head has a volume of at least 420 cm³, wherein at least one of the sole or the crown is at least in part a composite material, wherein the x-axis is tangential to the face and parallel to a ground plane, wherein negative locations on the x-axis extend from the USGA center face to the toe portion, wherein positive locations on the x-axis extend from the USGA center face to the heel portion, wherein negative locations on the z-axis extend from the USGA center face to the sole, wherein positive locations on the z-axis extend from the USGA center face to the crown, wherein a center of gravity of the golf club head with respect to the x-axis (CGx) is oriented from about 0 mm to about −10 mm; wherein the center of gravity of the golf club head with respect to the z-axis (CGz) is positioned below the USGA center face; wherein a Delta 1 of the golf club head is greater than 20; wherein a moment of inertia about the z-axis is greater than 400 kg·mm²; wherein the golf club head has an alignment feature delineating a transition between at least a first portion of the crown having an area of contrasting shade or color with a shade or color of at least one of the face and a second portion of the crown; and wherein the alignment feature has: a Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle (SAPFA) of from about −2 to about 10 degrees; and a Radius of Curvature (circle fit) of from about 300 mm to about 1000 mm.
 2. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the CGx is oriented from about 0 mm to about −4 mm.
 3. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the SAPFA is altered about 1 degree with respect to an intended target line for about every 5 yards of lateral dispersion from the intended target line.
 4. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the SAPFA is altered about 1 degree with respect to an intended target line for about every 3 yards of lateral dispersion from the intended target line.
 5. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the SAPFA is altered about 1 degree with respect to an intended target line for each 5 percent change of a CGx orientation.
 6. The golf club head of claim 1, further comprising score lines on the face and the score lines are offset from the USGA center face.
 7. The golf club head of claim 6, wherein the score lines are offset toewardly from the USGA center face.
 8. The golf club head of claim 6, wherein the score lines are centered about a location on the face having an x-axis coordinate corresponding to a CGx orientation.
 9. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the golf club head has a crown height to face height ratio of at least 1.12.
 10. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the alignment feature is more rounded proximate to the toe portion and less rounded proximate to the heel portion.
 11. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the golf club head has a discretionary mass positioned toeward along the negative x-axis and rearward of the center of gravity of the golf club head and closer to the ground plane than the center of gravity of the golf club head.
 12. The golf club head of claim 1, further comprising a weight attached to the golf club head rearward of the center of gravity of the golf club head and closer to the ground plane than the center of gravity of the golf club head.
 13. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the face is at least in part a composite material.
 14. The golf club head of claim 1, wherein the alignment feature comprises an electronic display for displaying one or more images, wherein the electronic display forms at least a portion of the crown.
 15. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the electronic display is operably connected to a memory, a microprocessor, and a battery within the golf club head.
 16. The golf club head of claim 15, wherein; the electronic display is configured to communicate with a user operable electronic device that is separate from the golf club head via a wireless communication protocol; and the electronic display is configured to receive one or more images from the user operable electronic device, wherein the electronic display is configured to store the one or more images in the memory, and wherein the electronic display is configured to display the one or more images.
 17. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the electronic display comprises a segmented display.
 18. The golf club head of claim 17, wherein the electronic display comprises an e-ink display.
 19. The golf club head of claim 14, wherein the electronic display comprises an e-ink display.
 20. The golf club head of claim 14, further comprising: a weight attached to the golf club head rearward of the center of gravity of the golf club head and closer to the ground plane than the center of gravity of the golf club head, and wherein the face is at least in part a composite material.
 21. The golf club head of claim 20, wherein the golf club head has a discretionary mass positioned toeward along the negative x-axis and rearward of the center of gravity of the golf club head and closer to the ground plane than the center of gravity of the golf club head.
 22. A golf club head comprising: a golf club body having a face, a crown and a sole together defining an interior cavity, the golf club body including a heel portion and a toe portion and having an x, y and z axes which are orthogonal to each other having their origin at USGA center face, wherein the golf club head has a volume of at least 420 cm³, wherein at least a portion of the face comprises a composite material, wherein the x-axis is tangential to the face and parallel to a ground plane, wherein negative locations on the x-axis extend from the USGA center face to the toe portion, wherein positive locations on the x-axis extend from the USGA center face to the heel portion, wherein negative locations on the z-axis extend from the USGA center face to the sole, wherein positive locations on the z-axis extend from the USGA center face to the crown, wherein a center of gravity of the golf club head with respect to the x-axis (CGx) is oriented from about 0 mm to about −10 mm; wherein the center of gravity of the golf club head with respect to the z-axis (CGz) is positioned below the USGA center face; wherein a Delta 1 of the golf club head is greater than 20; wherein a moment of inertia about the z-axis is greater than 400 kg·mm²; wherein the golf club head has an alignment feature delineating a transition between at least a first portion of the crown having an area of contrasting shade or color with a shade or color of at least one of the face and a second portion of the crown; and wherein the alignment feature has: a Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle (SAPFA) of from about −2 to about 10 degrees; and a Radius of Curvature (circle fit) of from about 300 mm to about 1000 mm.
 23. The golf club head of claim 22, wherein the crown is at least in part a composite material.
 24. The golf club head of claim 23, wherein the sole is at least in part a composite material.
 25. A golf club head comprising: a golf club body having a face, a crown and a sole together defining an interior cavity, the golf club body including a heel portion and a toe portion and having an x, y and z axes which are orthogonal to each other having their origin at USGA center face, wherein the golf club head has a volume of at least 420 cm³, wherein at least one of the sole or the crown is at least in part a composite material, wherein the x-axis is tangential to the face and parallel to a ground plane, wherein negative locations on the x-axis extend from the USGA center face to the toe portion, wherein positive locations on the x-axis extend from the USGA center face to the heel portion, wherein negative locations on the z-axis extend from the USGA center face to the sole, wherein positive locations on the z-axis extend from the USGA center face to the crown, wherein a center of gravity of the golf club head with respect to the x-axis (CGx) is oriented from about 0 mm to about −10 mm; wherein the center of gravity of the golf club head with respect to the z-axis (CGz) is positioned below the USGA center face; wherein a Delta 1 of the golf club head is greater than 20; wherein a moment of inertia about the z-axis is greater than 400 kg·mm²; wherein the golf club head has an alignment feature delineating a transition between at least a first portion of the crown having an area of contrasting shade or color with a shade or color of at least one of the face and a second portion of the crown; and wherein the alignment feature has: a Sight Adjusted Perceived Face Angle (SAPFA) of from about −2 to about 10 degrees; and a Radius of Curvature (circle fit) of from about 300 mm to about 1000 mm.
 26. The golf club head of claim 25, further comprising at least one crown opening having a crown ledge surrounding the crown opening and a composite crown insert attached to the crown ledge and covering the crown opening, and at least one sole opening having a sole ledge surrounding the sole opening and a composite sole insert attached to the sole ledge and covering the sole opening.
 27. The golf club head of claim 26, further comprising a weight attached to the golf club head rearward of the center of gravity of the golf club head and closer to the ground plane than the center of gravity of the golf club head.
 28. The golf club head of claim 27, further comprising a forward mass pad positioned heelward and forward on the sole.
 29. The golf club head of claim 28, wherein the face is at least in part a composite material. 